Hugo Broos adamant Bafana not regressing despite early AFCON exit | OneFootball

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Bafana not going backwards, insists Broos

Photo: Alche Greef/BackPagePix

Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos says his team is not regressing despite their premature exit from the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.

South Africa suffered a 2-1 defeat to Cameroon in the Round of 16 on Sunday, falling to goals from Junior Tchamadeu and Christian Kofane, while Evidence Makgopa netted a consolation goal.

Notably, Bafana conceded six goals throughout the tournament, in contrast to the three goals they conceded en route to clinching the Bronze medal in the last continental showpiece.

When quizzed on whether his team is going backwards, Broos shrugged off the claims, insisting his troops lacked luck against Cameroon but acknowledged the leaky defense.

“No, we don't go backwards, certainly not. I agree that maybe in some games the performances were not at the level of South Africa that everybody knows but you can't say that for today [Sunday],” said the Belgian mentor.

"Sometimes you need luck a little bit on your side and if I can go back two years ago against Cape Verde in the quarter-final - 10 seconds before the end [of the match] Ronwen [Williams] did a fantastic save or we lost the game.

"So, those are things that are happening and today we didn't have luck on our side and I agree that maybe we get [concede] too much goals, last AFCON we only got two or three I think the whole tournament.

The veteran tactician added: "But we're not going backwards, certainly not, but on the other side I think we have to make a good evaluation of what happened here in this tournament and looking forward to the World Cup.

Bafana will now switch their focus to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with high-profile friendly matches expected to be lined up for the upcoming March FIFA international break.