We won’t settle for a draw – Hugo Broos ahead of Zimbabwe clash

We won’t settle for a draw – Hugo Broos ahead of Zimbabwe clash

Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos says he has warned his players against settling for a point in their decisive Group B clash against Zimbabwe at the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco this evening.

South Africa need only a draw to secure qualification to the round of 16, but the Belgian tactician has firmly dismissed any suggestion that his side will play for that result.

Broos cautioned that underestimating the opposition could prove costly, insisting Zimbabwe are capable of springing an upset if not treated with the necessary respect.

"I think what I saw from Zimbabwe in their first two matches against Angola and Egypt, is that they played the same way except with different players. The strategy has been the same, and I don't think they will change it for us."

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The two sides laboured to a goalless draw during a FIFA World Cup qualifier in October when Bafana needed all three points.

Broos says they must put their best foot forward.

Broos also highlighted the challenges of international football, where coaches hardly ever have enough time to refine the squads.

"We've been playing the same way for the past two years, the players may change but the concept and the strategy has remained the same. When you are with the national time, you don't have a lot of time to install new ideas because your time is too short, but you expect players to absorb enough new information as quickly as possible."

The coach cited the Egypt match as an example, admitting that what was worked on in training was not executed in the match as intended.