Broos, who is headed to his second AFCON approximately seven years after winning his maiden title with Cameroon in Gabon in 2017, knows what a difficult task the round-robin phase in Ivory Coast will be.

RECAP: Full 23-man Bafana squad for 2023 AFCON

With the top two teams in each of the six groups along with the four best third-placed teams qualifying through to the knockout stage, the Belgian is mindful of how Bafana, Mali, Namibia, or Tunisia are capable of progressing from Group E.

"If we are not passing the group stages, we will not be happy, that is for sure. I think that has to be our first goal, and you know passing the group stages is the most difficult part of the tournament," said Broos.

"Maybe you'll be surprised [about this statement], but it is like that because you are playing against three opponents who are 100 percent motivated, and physically and mentally in order, and they also want to pass the group stages.

"I have the experience with Cameroon from six years ago, that this was the most difficult thing in the tournament – to pass the group stages, because anyone can win against anyone.

"Namibia can beat Tunisia, Namibia can beat us, and we can beat Tunisia, so you never know [what will happen] in group stages."

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The last time South Africa qualified to the AFCON, they shocked hosts Egypt – beating them 1-0 in the round of 16, before bowing out in the quarterfinals after losing 2-1 against Nigeria in 2019.

With the possibility of meeting the likes of Morocco, Burkina Faso, Zambia or even Algeria in the next round, Broos warns they cannot set their sights too far ahead just yet.

"Let's make a goal of it and say we have to pass the group stages, and then it depends who you are playing against – you can play against Morocco or Senegal, and are you sure that you will then be [able to progress] further? I don't know.

"Even with Cameroon, we had the same situation – we played the quarterfinals against Senegal and won with penalties, so in a tournament, everything is important.

"But again, let's focus on the start [and getting] through those group stages, and try to pass through."

Bafana will assemble in Stellenbosch on Thursday to hold their pre-tournament camp until next Tuesday, when they return to Johannesburg.

They are then set to face Lesotho in a behind-closed-doors training match at Lucas Moripe Stadium on 11 January before departing for Abidjan the following day.

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Finished NSK Trophy State T20