SOCCER: Coach Broos confident South Africa can surprise at World Cup

CAPE TOWN – South Africa could be one of the surprises at this year’s World Cup, entering the tournament as a relatively unknown team, coach Hugo Broos said on Monday.

The South African team returns to the World Cup for the first time since hosting the finals in 2010. They open the tournament on June 11 against co-hosts Mexico at Azteca Stadium, and will also face South Korea in Group A. Their third group-stage opponent will be the winner of Tuesday’s playoff between the Czech Republic and Denmark.

“When we are at our best, with the quality in this team, we can make some surprises at the World Cup,” the veteran Belgian coach said ahead of South Africa’s warm-up friendly against Panama on Tuesday.

“We are also a team that not many people know, which could work in our favor,” he added.

Broos stressed that the team’s goal goes beyond simply participating in the tournament. “For me, it’s not enough to just be there. I would be very disappointed if the performances don’t match the potential of this team,” he said.

The former Belgium international also said he does not need to push his players. “I know their mentality and the hunger they have to show what they can do at the World Cup.”

South Africa previously qualified for the 1998 and 2002 World Cups and hosted the tournament in 2010, but results have been disappointing since. They earned a spot in Canada, Mexico, and the U.S. after finishing ahead of Nigeria in their qualifying group, claiming one of the nine African places.

Broos highlighted the importance of international exposure for his players. “South Africa needs interest from abroad, and that only comes when you play in big tournaments. After finishing third at the 2023 Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast, there was suddenly interest in our players, which is crucial for their development.”

Unlike many other African teams at the World Cup, South Africa’s squad is mostly made up of locally based players, while other sides rely heavily on players competing in foreign leagues, especially in Europe.

-Editing by Toby Davis/Reuters