Bafana’s Broos admits striker concerns ahead of World Cup
· Citizen
Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has admitted his side are lacking confidence in front of goal, after a host of missed chances in the two friendlies against Panama.
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Bafana’s striking woes
South Africa’s failure to take their opportunities meant they could only draw 1-1 with Panama at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Friday. And they were again not clinical enough on Tuesday at the Cape Town Stadium, losing 2-1 in what was Broos’ first home defeat since taking over as head coach in September 2021.
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Lyle Foster was the main culprit, the Burnley striker missing four excellent chances across the two games. The situation is concerning with just a few months to go before the 2026 Fifa World Cup finals in the USA, Canada and Mexico.
Bafana will play the opening match of the tournament against Mexico at the Azteca Stadium on June 11.
“Yes, this is something we have to work on, and it has something to do with the confidence of the players,” said Broos.
“When you have chances like you did today and last Friday it is a bit too much to miss them all. I think we had ten chances over the two games and only scored twice. That is not enough.
“We can work on it, but it is also difficult … because the players are gone tomorrow and we will only see them at the end of May. But we have proved in the past that we can score easily … it is something that will return.
“This is why we played twice against Panama, to learn about things we still have to work on.”
Broos also did not rule out other players coming into the mix before he names his final World Cup squad on May 18. Mamelodi Sundowns’ Iqraam Rayners is one striker who can consider himself unlucky to have been left out of late.
Broos – ‘There has to be something more’
“We can’t go with the level we have now to the World Cup, there has to be something more,” added Broos.
“Maybe there will be other players we can see in the next months that will make the team better and stronger.”
Bafana were also poor at the back against Panama on Tuesday, with dreadful defending from two set pieces leading to the Central American side’s two goals.
In Broos’ defence, he had substituted his captain Ronwen Williams at half time. Sekhukhune United’s Renaldo Leaner was in goal for the second half, and did not do his chances of making the World Cup squad any favours.
ALSO READ: Panama stun sloppy Bafana
“We conceded two goals here and one last Friday,” added Broos.
“It is a bit different because on Friday it was a mistake from our side. Today it was more about our organisation from set pieces. Normally everyone knows what to do.”