Bafana Bafana depart for Europe on Monday (21 March 21, 2022) evening ahead of friendly internationals against Guinea and France that coach Hugo Broos hopes will lay a foundation for next year’s Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.
Bafana Bafana face Guinea on March 25 in Belgium and then tackle France four days later, with Broos saying he is determined to see how his charges fare against the world champions.
The Belgian mentor said there is no reason why Bafana Bafana should not be part of every Africa Cup of Nations. South Africa failed to qualify for the last edition of the continental showpiece in Cameroon this year, something Broos said should never happen going forward and has made it part of his long-term vision.
“I said it already when I came here I did not understand why a country like South Africa was not always playing at the AFCON,” he said on Monday.
Broos revealed that injury had forced Bafana Bafana vice-captain Percy Tau to withdraw from the squad to face Guinea and Les Bleus, and Royal AM’s Victor Letsoalo has been called in to take his place.
The Bafana Bafana coach said the friendly matches will be tough but he was not looking for easy games.
“I said it already, for me these are important games, difficult games, but I asked for difficult games. In the past I am told that it was not usual for South Africa to play tough friendly games.”