Hugo Broos Sounds Alarm as Bafana Bafana Game Control Worries Grow at Afcon

South Africa may have booked their place in the knockout stages of the Africa Cup of Nations, but not everything is sitting comfortably with head coach Hugo Broos. The veteran Belgian has raised a clear red flag over Bafana Bafana’s inability to control matches, warning that the same lapses that crept in against Zimbabwe could prove fatal once the tournament reaches its sharp end.

Monday night’s dramatic 3–2 win over Zimbabwe at the Stade de Marrakech delivered entertainment in abundance, but it also exposed a familiar weakness. Moments of quality were followed by spells of carelessness, and for Broos, that inconsistency has become a worrying theme rather than an isolated incident.

Bafana Bafana Edge Zimbabwe but Leave Questions Unanswered

On paper, the result did exactly what South Africa needed. Zimbabwe were eliminated from the Afcon and Bafana marched on. On the pitch, though, the story was far more complicated.

South Africa started brightly, showing the urgency and aggression Broos has repeatedly demanded. Inside seven minutes, Lyle Foster burst into space and squared the ball for Tshepang Moremi, who finished confidently to give Bafana the perfect start. It looked, at that point, like a team ready to dominate.

But the momentum didn’t last. Almost as soon as South Africa had taken control, they loosened their grip. Zimbabwe grew in confidence and began to exploit gaps, eventually drawing level through Tawanda Maswanhise. It was a familiar pattern: early intensity, followed by a dip in concentration.

The second half mirrored the first. Bafana regained the lead, only to gift Zimbabwe another way back into the match after a defensive error from Aubrey Modiba. Once again, South Africa were left chasing control rather than dictating the tempo.

A late penalty ultimately settled the contest, sealing a 3–2 victory. Relief, rather than celebration, was the dominant emotion at full-time.

Hugo Broos Highlights Lack of Control at Afcon

For Hugo Broos, the performance was less about the result and more about the warning signs beneath it. Speaking candidly after the match, the 73-year-old made it clear that patience is wearing thin.

“This is something I am worried about because it happened again,” Broos admitted, referencing not only the Zimbabwe match but earlier group games as well. He pointed to similar issues against Angola and even the opening half against Egypt, where South Africa were second best in physical battles and lacked aggression.

According to Broos, the issue is not ability but mindset.

“We started with aggression in the first 20 minutes against Zimbabwe, but we took the foot off the pedal and gave the opportunity to the opponent to get back in the game,” he said.

At Afcon, those moments of relaxation are punished ruthlessly. Broos knows it, and he isn’t pretending otherwise.

Afcon Knockouts Loom as Broos Demands Higher Standards

bafana

With the Round of 16 approaching, the margin for error has vanished. South Africa could be facing Ivory Coast or Cameroon, two sides with pedigree, power and ruthless finishing. Against opponents of that calibre, Broos believes Bafana’s current approach simply won’t be enough.

“We must learn to have concentration,” he warned. “If we do that against Ivory Coast or Cameroon, we have no chance to win that game.”

It was one of Broos’ most direct assessments of the tournament so far. He also hinted at frustration with individual decision-making, suggesting that some players are switching off mentally at key moments.

“I am not happy with the performance and the way some players are acting on the pitch,” he added. “This is something we have to work on.”

Bafana Bafana No Longer Underdogs at Afcon

One of Broos’ most telling observations was about perception. South Africa, he insists, are no longer sneaking under the radar at the Africa Cup of Nations. The progress made over the past two to three years has changed how opponents approach Bafana.

“Everybody knows we are a good team now,” Broos explained. “The mindset of the opponent is totally different.”

That shift brings new challenges. Teams no longer fear South Africa; they believe they can beat them. That belief turns every duel into a battle and every loose touch into an invitation.

Broos stressed that reputation alone will not win matches.

“It is not like you are South Africa and teams are afraid of you,” he said. “They are trying to beat you.”

For Bafana, adapting to that reality may be the biggest test of all.

Mentality and Match Management Under the Microscope

Throughout the group stage, South Africa have shown flashes of quality: sharp movement, clever combinations, and moments of composure in front of goal. What they haven’t shown consistently is control.

Too often, Bafana allow matches to become open and unpredictable. Against Zimbabwe, that lack of control turned a comfortable start into a nervous finish. Against stronger opposition, it could be decisive.

Broos has repeatedly emphasised the need for focus, aggression and discipline.

“You have to fight more, concentrate more, be more focused,” he said. “Not thinking it is going to be easy like we did after 20 minutes against Zimbabwe.”

At Afcon, experience counts. Teams that go deep are usually the ones who know how to manage games, slow them down when needed, and suffocate opponents without the ball. That is the level Broos wants his side to reach.

What Comes Next for Bafana Bafana at Afcon?

The knockout stage brings a different kind of pressure. There are no second chances, no room for recovery after a bad spell. Every mistake is magnified.

Broos may be forced to make tough decisions, possibly rotating his starting eleven to inject energy or reward players who have impressed in training. Tactical tweaks are also likely, particularly in midfield, where control is often established or lost.

What remains clear is that talent alone will not carry South Africa through. Broos wants intensity from the first whistle to the last, with no drop-off in concentration.

“If you want to go far in this tournament, this is the mentality we need,” he warned. “Because if we don’t, it will be finished quickly.”

For Bafana Bafana, the message could not be clearer. Progress has been made, but Afcon does not reward potential. It rewards control, focus and belief over 90 relentless minutes. Whether South Africa can rise to that challenge will define their tournament.