” VS’It’s a very good experience to play against the world champions for a young team like ours, it’s good to have tough matches, “said South Africa coach Hugo Broos on Monday on the eve of the face the Blues in a friendly in Lille. “South Africa is not used to playing in such large and full stadiums, it will really motivate us,” explained the Belgian at a press conference from the Pierre-Mauroy stadium in Villeneuve-d’Ascq. , where 50,000 spectators are expected. “The players will be able to show what they are made of. South Africa is not so well known in Europe, so for us it is a good opportunity to show ourselves”, added the coach of Bafana Bafana since May 5, 2021. This is his second experience in as a coach after a conclusive episode in Cameroon, where he won the African Cup of Nations in 2017 by beating Egypt in the final.
As for the last confrontation between France and South Africa, at the 2010 World Cup, it ended in a 2-1 victory for the South Africans against the Blues mired in the Knysna scandal.
The memory of Knysna
“When they told us that we were going to face France, everyone was very enthusiastic, we can’t wait to be there. This will serve us for our next CAN qualifying matches, ”explained captain and goalkeeper Ronwen Williams. The goalkeeper was only 18 when France and South Africa last fought, one of the most painful defeats in the history of Les Bleus in the first round of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa (2-1 ). “As a South African, I was very happy. Unfortunately, we couldn’t pass the group stage either… We had read all the headlines (about Les Bleus) and what had happened, but we were still very happy to satisfy our fans,” recalled the 30-year-old goalkeeper.
Asked about the return of Kylian Mbappé, after an ENT infection, the South African admitted that the presence of the PSG player was “a challenge” for his selection. “He’s a fantastic player, even with a plan to minimize his impact, it only takes a fraction of a second for him to score or go away,” remarked Hugo Broos.
A rebuilding team
South Africans, 68and nation in the Fifa ranking and not qualified for the 2022 World Cup, drew (0-0) against Guinea in a friendly in Kortrijk in Belgium on Friday, without their captain Williams, spared. Among the novices, we will closely follow central defender Bandile Shandu and midfielder Goodman Mosele, playing for the Pirates, as well as Pyramids (Egypt) striker Fagrie Lakay. Striker Lebo Mothiba, who plays in Troyes (L1), was not selected.
A test match before qualifying for CAN 2023
Indeed, Broos still has the elimination of Bafana Bafana in qualifying for the 2022 World Cup in November in November, beaten by Ghana (1-0). “Ghana imposed its aggressiveness from the start of the match and we were unable to respond,” he lamented. “There are many players who are doing well at their club level and now is the time to see if they can adapt it at international level. He promised several changes before challenging the Blues. He has his entire group ready “100%”. “We are going to live an experience, because it is the last chance to erase our weaknesses before the start of qualifying for the 2023 African Cup of Nations in June”, posted enthusiastic Hugo Broos.
