LOS ANGELES (United States) — South Africa coach Hugo Broos smiles a lot and snarls a little as he prepares for the biggest match of his 38-year career as a tactician.
Having reached the knockout phase of the World Cup for the first time, Bafana Bafana (The Boys) face Canada on Sunday in Los Angeles in the first last-32 fixture.
The joy of the 74-year-old Belgian grandfather stems from succeeding where various coaches, including renowned Brazilian Carlos Alberto Parreira, failed.
A 1-0 midweek victory over higher-ranked South Korea, through a goal from winger Thapelo Maseko, earned South Africa second place in Group A and qualification for the knockout stage.
It was a triumphant end to a mini-league campaign that began badly two weeks ago when Bafana performed poorly in a 2-0 loss to joint hosts Mexico.
A slight improvement in a 1-1 draw with the Czech Republic, courtesy of a late Teboho Mokoena penalty, left many South Africans pessimistic before facing the Koreans.
But the team prevailed, displaying passion largely lacking in the earlier matches. More clinical finishing would have produced a wider winning margin in Mexico.
Recalling the victory over Korea, Broos told AFP the team he has coached since 2021 “believed in itself”.
“It was a hugely emotional moment – getting past the group stage for the first time,” said Broos, who guided Cameroon to the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title.
“We were not good against Mexico and a little better against the Czechs. That meant we had to defeat Korea. There was enormous pressure on us, but we made it.
“We are ready for the Canadians. My team will fight for 90 minutes, and longer if necessary. Let us hope for another good result.”
