Hugo Broos highlights Bafana Bafana progress in Nicaragua draw

The send-off international friendly match, in preparation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, in front of a passionate crowd at Orlando Amstel Arena failed to produce any celebrations as Broos opted to test different combinations.  

The starting line-up comprised mostly of players who have not had regular runs with Bafana, and the Belgian tactician was pleased with what he saw. 

"First of all, I think what we saw today in central defence [shows] that we are stronger than before – we have two new, young guys, very good defenders, strong boys, and that's also important," said Broos.

"So I think that is a very good thing, and I think with [Kamogel] Sebelebele and [Thapelo] Maseko, I can say the same thing, so with those two guys we can do something – they are both quick and can both dribble and be dangerous.

"And you saw the penalty with the speed of Sebelebele in the moment, that is something we have more of in our time now also, so that was the goal of today's game, was to give those people a chance and see if we made the right choices, and I think you can say yes."

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Another player, who hadn’t started a game at this level for Bafana, was Polokwane City right-back Thabang Matuludi, Broos was equally impressed with his showing and believes the objective for the match was achieved.

"Matuludi, in the previous games when he came in, I said, 'Are you afraid or what?' So I told him before the game, 'I don't want to see you afraid, come on, go like in Polokwane'," revealed Broos.

"Did you see him playing today? He was very good. So that means, with those guys now, we can say that we have some reinforcement in the team and we also have possibilities.

"I will not tremble anymore when I see Khuliso [Mudau] go down on the field, no, we have someone who can replace him, and that is certainly a very positive point from the game of today."