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Bafana Bafana’s head coach, Hugo Broos, has shared his observations on 2024, a year that saw his team perform exceptionally well on the pitch, securing the bronze medal at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Their style of play became a spectacle, capturing the hearts of many throughout their continental campaign. It was not unusual to see rival fans begrudgingly recognizing and applauding the well-structured team that emerged in the past months. These thrilling displays have garnered attention, resulting in Broos’ squad receiving several nominations for the 2024 CAF Awards set for Monday, 16 December 2024, in Marrakech, Morocco. The Belgian coach stated that every nomination received is well-deserved.
“I can only feel pride because if you look back on what we’ve achieved over the last two years and the results we’ve secured, it’s clear that everyone is satisfied once again,” he said.
“A positive vibe now envelops this team. When I first joined, there was little to be optimistic about. We implemented significant changes. The Morocco coach remarked to me after our AFCON duel, where we beat Morocco, stating, ‘you no longer play like South Africa’. (South Africa defeated Morocco 2-0 at the Laurent Pokou stadium in San Pédro, Côte d’Ivoire, on 30 January 2024). To me, that was the greatest compliment I’ve ever received from a fellow coach. It indicates that we have truly transformed, which was essential.”
“I believe there has always been a wealth of technical skill among the players. We’ve always had capable individuals, and whenever I attend PSL games, I spot talent. They possess excellent ball control and deliver precise passes. However, we were lacking something. What was that deficiency? We were missing strength and a direct approach to our play. This is what we aimed to embed in the team. It took some time for the players to adjust to this new strategy.”
Ronwen Williams, captain and goalkeeper of the South African men’s senior national team, nominated for the Ballon d’Or Yashin Trophy, leads a distinguished list of nominees that includes Broos, UWC’s Thinasonke Mbuli, Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies’ Andile Dlamini, the Bafana Bafana team, African champions Banyana Banyana, and Mamelodi Sundowns.
Just months after claiming the bronze medal at the AFCON in Côte d’Ivoire, Broos’ squad has successfully qualified for next year’s continental tournament in Morocco, finishing their qualification process unbeaten after a 3-0 win against South Sudan in Cape Town last month. The Belgian coach expressed his contentment when reflecting on the year, considering his team’s performances.
“This is why I hold this team in high regard. The players are receptive to your guidance and work hard to implement it. There are varying levels of success, but when you see our current playing style, it is no longer just about passing the ball around. At the right times, the ball is pushed forward. This was clear during our match against South Sudan,” Broos elaborated.
“We often looked for gaps behind the defense, and we are fortunate to have players who can deliver on that. We have talent in our roster, so we’ve adjusted our play style slightly, bolstering the team’s resilience. They don’t overpower us the way they did against Mali (in the AFCON).”
Complete CAF Awards nominations list:
Men’s Player of the Year
Ronwen Williams (South Africa)
Simon Adingra (Cote d’Ivoire)
Serhou Guirassy (Guinea)
Achraf Hakimi (Morocco)
Ademola Lookman (Nigeria)
Women’s Player of the Year
Sanâa Mssoudy (Morocco)
Chiamaka Nnadozie (Nigeria)
Barbra Banda (Zambia)
Men’s Coach of the Year
Hugo Broos (South Africa)
Emerse Fae (Cote d’Ivoire)
Sébastien Desabre (DR Congo)
Women’s Coach of the Year
Thinasonke Mbuli (University of the Western Cape)
Lamia Boumehdi (TP Mazembe)
Ahmed Ramadan (FC Masar)
Mohamed Amine Alioua (AS FAR)
Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year
Ronwen Williams (South Africa / Mamelodi Sundowns)
André Onana (Cameroon / Manchester United)
Yahia Fofana (Cote d’Ivoire / Angers SCO)
Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year
Andile Dlamini (South Africa / Mamelodi Sundowns)
Khadija Er-Rmichi (Morocco / AS FAR)
Chiamaka Nnadozie (Nigeria / Paris FC)
Men’s Interclub Player of the Year
Ronwen Williams (South Africa / Mamelodi Sundowns)
Ahmed Sayed (Egypt / Zamalek)
Hussein El Shahat (Egypt / Al Ahly)
Women’s Interclub Player of the Year
Sanâa Mssoudy (Morocco / AS FAR)
Lacho Flora Marta (Angola / TP Mazembe)
Doha El Madani (Morocco / AS FAR)
Men’s Young Player of the Year
Lamine Camara (Senegal / AS Monaco)
Karim Konaté (Cote d’Ivoire / Salzburg)
Oumar Diakite (Cote d’Ivoire / Reims)
Women’s Young Player of the Year
Habiba Sabry (Egypt / FC Masar)
Doha El Madani (Morocco / AS FAR)
Chiamaka Okuchukwu (Nigeria / Rivers Angels)
Men’s National Team of the Year
Bafana Bafana
Cote d’Ivoire
Nigeria
Women’s National Team of the Year
Banyana Banyana
Morocco
Nigeria
Men’s Club of the Year
Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa)
Al Ahly (Egypt)
Zamalek (Egypt)
Women’s Club of the Year
TP Mazembe (DR Congo)
AS FAR (Morocco)
Edo Queens (Nigeria)
