Highly motivated and hungry Bafana Bafana targeting first AFCON semifinal in 24 years

The last time Bafana Bafana played in the AFCON semifinals was way back in 2000, they lost to Nigeria 2-0 and went on to secure the bronze medal beating Tunisia in the third and fourth place play-off.

READ: Evidence Makgopa says he will always give his all for Hugo Broos

Ahead of the quarterfinal game against Cape Verde at the Stade Charles-Konan-Banny in Yamoussoukro tomorrow evening, Broos says this generation wants to be inspirational like the AFCON conquering team of 1996.

"Things are coming with results, once you have results the rest will come. So I think we can say now that we have good results. We are motivated to do as the squad of 96', the reaction in the dressing room shows that they are ready for it,'' said Broos.

 Bafana Bafana are fresh from a big 2-0 win over Africa’s number one-ranked country and 2022 FIFA World Cup semi-finalists Morocco, and it will be important to guard against complacency when meeting one of the best performing teams at this AFCON in Cape Verde.

The team has been known for struggling to maintain that kind of an expectation in the past but under Broos there’s a different mentality.

 "First of all we are happy to still be in this tournament, when you play against favourites in Africa and you win it, it just gives you confidence. We don't underestimate  Cape Verde - they are a quality team. It is difficult to play against them, it means we have to fight again if we want to be in the semifinals,'' added Broos.

Broos says one of the strengths of Cape Verde is playing as a team and they showcased that in the group stages where they finished above Egypt and Ghana, the most successful teams on the continent.

''I think you understand me when I say we don't underestimate that team, it is a tough team, and they are very disciplined. Looking at their points you can't say they are a weak team. It is going to be difficult to win that game, he concluded.

Broos, an AFCON-winning coach with Cameroon in 2017 in Gabon has also been followed by a lot of international media here in Côte d’Ivoire. The Belgian-born coach says it is still too early to dream about the final.