Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has voiced his concerns regarding the synthetic pitch at Alphonse Massamba-Debat Stadium in Brazzaville ahead of Tuesday’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier.
While his team is on the cusp of securing qualification for next year’s tournament in Morocco, Broos recognizes the potential challenges posed by the pitch’s condition.
Following a commanding 5-0 victory over Congo at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Friday, Bafana are just one win away from confirming their place in the 2025 AFCON. Teboho Mokoena shone with a brace, while Bathusi Aubaas, Lyle Foster, and Iqraam Rayners each added to the impressive scoreline.
Broos emphasized that a win on Tuesday would solidify their qualification, but he remains cautious about the synthetic surface. “My only concern is to see the pitch there,” he stated.
It’s a synthetic pitch, and we’ve had bad experiences with them in the past if they’re not maintained well. I think of the one in Rwanda—it was really bad. But if the pitch is like the one in South Sudan, then we’ll be fine.
Additionally, Broos pointed out that Congo will be eager to redeem themselves after their heavy defeat, adding pressure to his squad. “They lost 5-0, and there will be pressure on them to perform. We need to be at our best again,” he cautioned.
Despite his concerns about the pitch, Broos praised his team’s recent performance, stating, “What can I say after a display like that? It was fantastic—five goals, great rhythm, and modern football. This is the level I want to see from my team,” he expressed, looking forward to another strong performance in Brazzaville.
