Broos not taking Zim lightly ahead of high stakes clash
Photo: Alche Greef / BackPagePix
Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos is wary of the threat posed by Zimbabwe ahead of the two teams’ crucial meeting in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) on Monday (18h00).
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South Africa head into the match knowing a victory or a draw will be enough to seal their progression to the knockout stages, as they sit second with three points from two games in Group B.
Meanwhile, the Warriors need a victory to book their spot in the next round of the competition, as they are level on one point with Angola, who play record seven-time champions Egypt on the same day.
Now, having been held to a frustrating goalless draw by Zimbabwe in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers in October, Broos is insists previous results won’t be a factor in the must-win game.
“There was a game in October, but there was a game before that we won 3-1, so every game is different. It’s not because we played zero-zero that game in October that now we are starting to doubt ourselves and saying it was zero zero,” said the Belgian mentor.
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While the veteran tactician is unfazed by past matches against their neighbors, he is not taking Marian Marinica’s side lightly, stressing that they are equally motivated to advance to the next stage of the continental showpiece.
“But again we are aware of the fact that we are playing against a very motivated opponent tomorrow and that for Zimbabwe it’s always nice to take points off South Africa. So, they will do it tomorrow and they have even a chance to be second. So, the motivation for them will be very big also. It will be a very tough game for us,” Broos added.
It remains to be seen who will reign supreme between the two COSAFA rivals, with Egypt having already progressed after beating both Zimbabwe and Bafana.
