Bafana Bafana COACH, Hugo Broos, emphasized the importance of having a weapon similar to the players of Mamelodi Sundowns in his team when he was preparing for the Group A match of the World Cup in which they will face Mexico on Thursday at 9 pm, at the Azteca Stadium, Mexico City.
Broos was speaking to the media earlier this week in Pachuca, Mexico, when he revealed his team’s preparations.
Although the path of this national team started with obstacles, the Belgian coach promised that it will be ready enough to start the competition on Thursday.
There are eight Sundowns players in Broos’ squad and they all seem to have a chance to start the games except Themba Zwane, Khulumani Ndamane and Iqraam Rayners.
From Ronwen Williams, Aubrey Modiba, Khuliso Mudau, Jyden Adams and Teboho Mokoena, they all used to start Bafana games under Broos.
Winning the Caf Champions League title for these players in Sundowns gives Broos an idea about one of the decisions he has to make in the World Cup.
“The World Cup forces you to have in the squad players who are used to a higher level than the Premier Soccer League (PSL) like Sundowns,” said Broos.
“This tournament requires a lot of things to be aligned in order to go far in it. The presence of Sundowns players in the camp is useful because the level they are used to and the difficulties they face in African games are not the same as what we are about to go through.”
“I am reassured to have them in this camp because the way they do things extends to others, and ultimately the whole team benefits.”
The coach accepts that things did not go as he wished during the preparations but said that there is no time to look back.
“We have a team that trusts us, so the most important thing for us is to come up with a strategy to stop Mexico and how we will kill them when they are weak.
“It would have been good to get enough time to get used to everything about Mexico, but because it didn’t happen, we have to strengthen what we still can do,” he continued.
Broos said that he is expecting Mexico, which will be as if they have been poured with plaster since they are lucky to be playing at home.
“It’s good or bad to play at home, but our job is to try to calm the crowds that will be on the field.
“We will not stop playing our football while trying to do well in this competition.
“Yes, it started as if there were some hiccups, but what I can promise those who trust in Mzansi, is that when the time comes for the game, Bafana will be ready in every way,” said Broos.