Dylan Bettencourt
Bafana Bafana boss Hugo Broos has backtracked on his shock comments about the poor standard of football in South Africa.
The Belgian claimed Bafana were not successful because the standard of the leagues are not good enough, adding that it is the same reason South African players are not coveted abroad.
His strong comments split opinions across the country. While many fans agreed with Broos, others felt he should have more faith in his national team.
However, Broos has since apologised for his statements.
“We have to make South African football better, we have to make it more professional and I am just talking out of my experiences that I have. I am European and in Europe things are different than here in Africa.
“But I also have African experience. I worked two years in Cameroon and when I compare this country with Cameroon, the potential [here] is 10 times more,” Broos told the Safa leadership.
The 70-year-old added that he believes that South Africa could become one of the best teams on the continent in the next few years.
Broos also admitted that his sentiments were disrespectful, although that was not his intention.
“I want to apologise if my declaration in the press conference last Tuesday was disrespectful against this nation. This was not my intention, certainly not. I came here one year ago and the only thing I want is for South African football to become better,” he said.
The recently appointed manager declared he will guide Bafana Bafana to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) tournament hosted in Ivory Coast.
“I will do everything, and even more than everything, to qualify the team in September for Afcon next year. I will do everything to be at the 2026 World Cup. I know the potential of this country and we can make it happen,” Broos said.
Image source: @iDiskiTimes
