European clubs change their perceptions on PSL talent after the AFCON

hugo-broos-15-february-2024

The AFCON bronze medallists, who landed at the OR Tambo Airport Wednesday morning back from Côte d’Ivoire, had their best run in more than two decades at the AFCON.

With a couple of players in this current squad attracting interest from leading European clubs and leagues, Broos says this is a big step for their careers.

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“I think, I’m very happy that for the moment there are some players who have the opportunity to maybe go to Europe. They will become better, I’m 100% sure because the competition where they are going to play is at a higher level. Also, the intensity, the way of living will be different. So, yeah, they will become better. They are already good with the qualities they have but they will become better when they can go to big teams in Europe somewhere,” Broos said.

In what was the most exciting AFCON in the modern era, Bafana reached the AFCON semifinals for the first time in 24 years, they clinched their third-place finish after beating Democratic Republic Congo 6-5 on penalties.

After this tournament players like captain Ronwen Williams, Teboho Mokoena, Khuliso Mudau, Evidence Makgopa and Siphephelo Sithole are subjects of interest from some clubs in the top five leagues in the world.

Broos says the image of SA football on the field of play, won’t be the same after this tournament.

“Not only for them but it gives also another image of South African football and I feel that now people who are coming to talk to me, they talk in a different way of South African football. So, before it was ‘Yeah, South African football’ but now they are a little bit surprised that we have such a good team. They are surprised that ‘Ow yeah, there Mokoena [Teboho], ow your keeper [Ronwen Williams], wow,” Broos added.