THEY MIGHT have landed in Monrovia for the second leg of the Afcon 2024 Qualifier; but a lot seems to be at stake for Bafana Bafana and its coach.
After drawing 2-all with Liberia last week at FNB Stadium, a lot unfolded post the match.
All and sundry expected the team to easily passed through the Liberians but it was not to be, after dominating the first-half with aplomb.
To make matters worse coach Hugo Broos disregarded the media commitment and instead assigned his seconded Helman Mkhalele to conduct post interviews.
The Belgian Broos behaviour kicked in when he stormed out of his technical area towards the tunnel, even before the final whistle, when it became clear there was no time for the side to attempt to recover the lead.
In an interview with Safa media, he apologised to the nation for his unbecoming conduct. In football circles, anywhere in the world, this type of ill-mannered behaviour would not be tolerated, and the coach would have been sent packing.
“It was everything (lots of emotions),” said Broos.
“When you see the game, it was clear that we were the better team. It was clear that we had a lot of chances.
“But it was also clear that we missed a lot of chances, that in the last half an hour we lost control over the game because yeah, Liberia was more powerful than we were.
“And then, yeah, in the 91st minute or 92nd minute, you get a goal where you lose the victory. And that, yeah, that left me with a lot of emotions and I left at 2-2, went immediately to the dressing room.
“I did not fulfil my media obligations and I want to apologise for that. But I am a human being and the emotions took control over me yesterday. I know from experience that it is better not to say anything in the heat of the moment and that’s what I did.
“It was not right, but I think that people can understand in such circumstances when you are taking that decision.”
What’s next for Bafana Tuesday’s encounter against Liberia is a win or else…
A lot is at stake and both Broos and his charges are aware of such.
Image top (Signs of pressure. Irate Hugo Broos apologises after storming out of the pitch during Bafana’s draw against Liberia).
Meanwhile, the SA Sport Awards were held this past weekend at Sun City, North West.
Here are the winners:
Team of the Year: Rugby 7’s Men (Blitzboks)
Sports Star of the Year: Andile Dlamini
People’s Choice Award: Themba Zwane
Sport Administrator of the Year: Portia Dimu
Sportsman of the Year: Pieter Coetzee
Sportsman of the Year with a disability: Jonathan Ntutu
Sportswoman of the Year: Lara van Niekerk
Sportswoman of the Year with a disability: Minkie Janse van Rensburg
Newcomer of the Year: Simnikiwe Bongco
Coach of the Year: Rocco Meiring — Swimming
Volunteer of the Year: Zizo Popu — Eastern Cape
Indigenous games team of the year: Limpopo — Ncuva — Male team
National Federation of the Year: Cricket South Africa
Recreation body of the Year: Waves for Change
School team of the Year: St Benedicts Rowing
Developing school of the Year: Helen Frans Special School Wheelchair Tennis
Ministers Excellence Award: Andy Birkett
