Hugo Broos, Bafana Bafana AFCON 2023 PSL
Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos leaned heavily on his Mamelodi Sundowns stars to help South Africa shine at AFCON 2023. Image Source: (@ThomasMlambo/Twitter)

Home » Convinced legend tips Bafana for a semi-final finish

Convinced legend tips Bafana for a semi-final finish

Ex-Bafana Bafana defender and legend Matthew Booth tips the national side to finish in the semi-finals at the upcoming AFCON.

12-01-24 10:58
Hugo Broos, Bafana Bafana AFCON 2023 PSL
Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos leaned heavily on his Mamelodi Sundowns stars to help South Africa shine at AFCON 2023. Image Source: (@ThomasMlambo/Twitter)

Bafana are capable of securing a semi-final spot in the AFCON tournament, legend Matthew Booth tips the side.

Coached by a former AFCON winner Hugo Broos, Booth believes Bafana are capable of making it to the semi-finals – reports Sowetan.

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The former Bafana skipper and 2010 FIFA World Cup campaigner says the current squad is also able to play different formations and can make it to the semis.

Booth, a revered Bafana legend and former Mamelodi Sundowns defender says this as the 1996 African kings arrived in Cote d’Ivoire for the AFCON tournament.

Bafana left Mzansi on Thursday morning and will get their Group E account underway against Mali on Tuesday next week.

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CONVINCED LEGEND TIPS BAFANA FOR A SEMI-FINAL FINISH

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When analysing Bafana’s AFCON opponents, the legend Booth argues that Broos and his troops must beat Namibia and avoid losses to Mali and Tunisia.

Should Bafana successfully avoid two defeats and send Namibia packing, that will enable the team to reach the semi-finals – says the legend, Booth.

 “I am hoping for a semifinal or possibly even a final. I really believe Bafana can at least get to the semifinals,” Booth tells Sowetan.

Bafana Bafana legend tips the team to reach the semi-finals of the AFCON tournament. Image Source: (@BafanaBafana/Twitter)
Bafana Bafana legend tips the team to reach the semi-finals of the AFCON tournament. Image Source: (@BafanaBafana/Twitter)

“Our team hasn’t had the greatest preparations but they can use the first game to get into the tournament.

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“If we can avoid a defeat in the first game against Mali, I think we will settle our nerves. We have a balanced team full of hungry players.”

BROOS HAS A BALANCED SQUAD FOR SEMIS – BOOTH SPEAKS

Looking at the previous AFCON tournaments, Bafana last made it to the last four back in 2000 when they clinched the third spot.

While he says Group E is tough, the television pundit and legend adds that it is winnable should Bafana respect the opposition.

“Why do I say the squad is pretty balanced? We can play 4-2-4 and 4-2-1-3. The coach chose two 6s in [Siphephelo] Sithole and [Teboho] Mokoena [in fact there Thabang Monare as well who’s a 6]… Mvala,” adds Booth.

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“I know he’s carrying an injury but can also play as a 6 and as a centre-back. Jayden Adams is the only No 8 because the coach wants to play with two 6s.

“Defensively I think we are balanced as well because all the centre-backs have played together in the past and the full-backs, [Aubrey] Modiba and [Khuliso] Mudau are both from Sundowns and they have that telepathy.

“Our group is a winnable group. We should be able to beat Namibia and avoid losing against Mali and Tunisia.”

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