‘Beating Morocco will be big first step for Bafana’

Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has given a sense that he doesn’t expect SA to beat a star-studded Morocco side when the two sides trade blows in the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifier at FNB Stadium on Saturday (5pm). 

“We are in front of us having a very difficult game against a very good opponent. Just look at the performance of our players, look how good we are or still bad we are. But for me it will be a very interesting game and I will not be angry if we lose. I’d be very happy if we draw and I can’t explain how I feel if we win,” Broos said.

Broos cautioned that beating Morocco would not mean Bafana are now world-beaters. “If we win against Morocco, don’t think that we have a world team, don’t think. But it will be a big step, that is true,” the Bafana coach noted.

Both Bafana and Morocco have already qualified as runners-up and pool winners respectively. However, the Atlas Lions still included their superstars in the squad with Paris Saint-Germain’s Achraf Hakimi and Sevilla goalkeeper Yassine Bounou headlining it.

Morocco are the highest-ranked African side globally, occupying the 11th spot, while they are ranked first by CAF. Meanwhile, SA are 66th in the Fifa rankings and 12th on the continent.