27 January 2024 – Bafana Bafana bid farewell to Korhogo on Saturday and will be heading to San Pedro where they will face Morocco at Stade Laurent Pokou in the eagerly anticipated Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Round of 16 showdown between the two sides on Tuesday night (30 January 2024).
Coach Hugo Broos’ team had made CAN Village in Korhogo their home away from home since arriving in Côte d’Ivoire on 11 January 2024 ahead of the tournament group stages. With qualification to the next round secured after a comfortable 4-0 win against Namibia, a goalless draw with Tunisia and a 0-2 defeat to Mali, the South African senior men’s team have now turned their attention fully on Morocco.
Broos said he was thankful that his charges have already met the North Africans in the last few months and know what to expect on Tuesday. Bafana Bafana defeated the FIFA World Cup semi-finalists 2-1 in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier played at a vociferous FNB Stadium on 17 June 2023.
“We know and understand this team, how they play, as we have played them before. We have also won against them, and nothing is impossible. In this AFCON we are seeing that nothing is impossible, and I believe in my players. I believe they can do it and I know that they believe in themselves too.”
Mothobi Mvala and Khuliso Mudau suffered knocks during the final Group E game against a very physical Tunisia, which saw both players spending time in the sick bay for most of Thursday and Friday. The two players sat out training during the two days.
“Mothobi took a knock while Mudau is recovering very well. I was surprised that he was able to walk the next day, but he is still in recovery for now. Both players are with the medical staff, and they are being treated around the clock to ensure that they are fit for selection on Tuesday.”
Captain Ronwen William has issued a call to South Africans to continue to support the team as they head to San Pedro with the hope that the next stop will be Bouake afterwards, and then Abidjan.
“I would like to urge all South Africans to stand by us through thick and thin. Like every other team, we need support, and this means everything. This sacrifice we make is not only for us, but also for everyone back home too. It is our goal to make you proud.”