Exclusive: Bafana Bafana’s Rise under Coach Broos, Sets Sights on World Cup

Bafana Bafana entertained a sold out crowd at the Cape Town Stadium on Tuesday, beating South Sudan 3-0. This result ensures they finish on top Group K of the AFCON qualifiers. They are 1 of 24 teams who will feature at next year's AFCON tournament held in Morocco.

Dominant AFCON Performance

Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos had high praise for his side and had set his eyes on finishing top of the group prior to the fixture. Not only did they finish on top of the Group but went unbeaten. 

"I have to congratulate my team, not only for the performance but also the mentality this team showed during the game for 90 minutes. I asked the team in the pre-match, do not disappoint and they didn't disappoint. They played good football with a high tempo and took their chances during the game," Broos told SportsBoom.com. 

"3-0 is a good score and I think we made the people happy. The more we win, the more people will support us. Two years ago we had 2000-5000 people supporting and coming to see our games. The people come to the stadium because they see something. Now we are able to please the people because we have a good team. I am very proud of this team."

Broos' Vision for World Cup Success

Bafana Bafana have played 16 matches in 2024, won 6, lost 1 and drawn 9 [including penalty shootouts]. Broos has become the first coach to guide Bafana Bafana to back-to-back AFCON tournaments and has set his sights on qualifying for the FIFA World Cup.

"I feel the team was very competitive in January and looking at how the team performed against South Sudan, I think there is still progress. We have become a very good team. The performances will give us the confidence we need, which is to qualify for the World Cup."

"If you ask me now, are you going to qualify [World Cup]? I would say yes, at the end of the day it's a football game and anything can happen in a football game. I am confident we can do it, if South Africa wants to qualify for the World Cup now is the time. We have a good team, but we still have to go out there and do it."

"If we show the same mentality, the same quality and the same team spirit, there is a big chance we can qualify."

Fan Engagement and Stadium Attendance

The national side has struggled to fill stadiums but with consistent good performances over the last 18 months, they have been able to boost attendance. As evident in the final game of 2024 which saw the side selling out the Cape Town Stadium. A sold out stadium not only reflects growing national pride but also energises the players, creating an electric atmosphere that enhances their performance.

"Two years ago I said you can't ask people to come to the stadium but you don't play [well]. I can't ask you to go support a losing team. You first need to win your supporters with your performances. If you don't win, nobody will come to look at you. For example, you go to a concert because you like the way the person sings, it's the same with football you need to entertain the people in the stands."

"Some things we have done in the last year or so, we had people come to support us. And when they are there, you have to perform. Before the game I told the players to not spoil the party and they didn't. Everybody is happy. Now we know in our next game [March 2025] there will be a crowd."

Transforming Mentality and Culture

"I think the biggest achievement this team has made, has been the mentality. When I started two and half years ago, I was very disappointed in the training sessions. I had a feeling some players who came to the national camp were using it as a holiday. They would come from their clubs, train a bit with us and play a game...it was like a holiday for them coming here."

"I changed a lot of things in camp, I wanted them to have a mentality that when they are in camp...you train! You are not coming for an hour and half to have fun. Yeah okay, there can be fun but it can't be fun all the time. For example now we have to tell a player, hey tone it down [calm] and don't injure your teammate but it's better we have to say that than trying to lift up the intensity."

"There has been so much change in mentality from 2-3 years ago. The quality was always there and I saw good players but they are not with us anymore because they didn't have a good mentality. I always get requests [from journalists] why certain players weren't there, they had quality but I thought it wasn't guys that fit in my team."

"Sometimes people don't understand but I know what I am doing. I have the experience with this and the results are there to be seen. We have depth, results, training well and the mentality is there. It is a job and they are playing for their country."

With a revitalised mentality, increasing fan support, and Broos’ confident leadership, Bafana Bafana are not just aiming for World Cup qualification, they are striving to make a lasting impact on the global stage.