How Broos inspired Bafana to finish AFCON group qualification unbeaten

South Africa had already booked their ticket to the AFCON next year, but Broos says he pleaded with the squad not to dampen the mood as 50 000 fans filled up the venue to see the national side for the first time in nine years.

Broos shared his pre-match talk during his address to the media following the 3-0 win over the visitors.

"I have to congratulate my team for the performance of today. Not only for the performance but also for the mentality this team showed all the game, 90 minutes. During the pre-match meeting, I showed them a few results of teams who were already qualified but who lost their games, Tunisia, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, what's the other one? I forgot it,” Broos said.

“They all lost their last games and I asked the players not to spoil the party today and that shows again the mentality that we have in that team. Those guys are hungry, those guys know to take responsibility, the big crowd, they couldn't disappoint them and they didn't.

“From the first minute, we played good football, there was a high tempo, and we had chances during the game, 3-0, I think we made people happy and this is something that is very important too.

“So, more and more, we win supporters, it's a big difference to two years ago when there were 2000 or 5000 people coming to see our games."

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Bafana wrapped up what started out as a tricky journey to yet another continental competition when Uganda held them to a 2-2 draw at home, by shooting to the summit with 14 points from six matches.  

Broos was beaming.

"The people are coming because when they come to the stadium, they see something and this is what we have always wanted to do. Now we are able to do it because we have a good team,” the coach added.

“So, the fact that this team still played 90 minutes for 100% to be first in the group, I think that is the right mentality they showed and I'm very proud to be their coach."