Broos: Players were tired against Angola
COACH Hugo Broos and his Bafana Bafana team again grabbed the short end of the stick and there’s nothing they can do about it – at least while the present PSL hierarchy is ruling the roost.
The national squad arrived a week ago for a camp in Mpumalanga after a hectic 14-day period of nonstop football, with many of the players run into the ground.
On Sunday, Broos claimed that the performances of his players against Angola on Sunday at Mbombela Stadium were as flat as last night’s left-over beer.
The Belgium tactician revealed it was obvious that fatigue had played a major role in the team’s performance and he was pleased that the team came away with the eventual 1-1 draw.
“Maybe all those games in the last 14 days played a role,” said Broos - referring to the recent Carling Black Label Cup and MTN8 competitions - which he felt should rather have been played in December, just ahead of the restart of the DStv Premiership. “I am not disappointed.
I would like to win the game, for sure, but it was what we expected.
“The same performance as Thursday (against Mozambique) was not possible,” he added.
“We didn’t play as well because I felt there was a lack of determination and the players were not fresh enough. After the game on Thursday, players were complaining about fatigue. We can accept that.
“I thought bringing some fresh players into the team would make it better, but no, it did not help. We sometimes gave too much space to Angola. We gave them time to receive the ball and so many things were less good than Thursday.
“However, we didn’t lose and that is one good thing. I think the result was correct because we played a difficult opponent.”
There will not be more time for national team camps ahead of the two key Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Liberia in March. Broos feels that Angola and Mozambique have proved suitable opponents and the team is ready for thehome and away double-header.
“I am satisfied with this camp, we played two games against an opponent that was similar to what we will face against Liberia in March,” said Broos.
“It was a good test and I am sure with what we showed in these two games, and in the two games in September, we will qualify for the Afcon.”
The first qualifier will be played in South Africa on March 23, and a week later the return will be in Morocco because Liberia does not have a suitable venue for international matches.