Broos Issues Appollis Injury Update As Bafana Jet Off To AFCON
Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has played down concerns over Oswin Appollis’ fitness after the winger picked up a knock in Tuesday’s send-off friendly against Ghana.
Appollis, who is expected to play a key role for South Africa at the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, was introduced at half-time in place of Mohau Nkota against an inexperienced Ghana side. However, he was forced off before the final whistle as a precaution.
The match was settled by Appollis’ team-mate Sipho Mbule, who scored a stunning goal to secure a comfortable 1–0 victory for Bafana Bafana in a game South Africa largely controlled.
The national team will now depart for Morocco on Wednesday to begin their AFCON campaign.
Drawn in Group B alongside Angola, Egypt and Zimbabwe, Bafana Bafana will open the tournament against Angola on 22 December in Marrakech.
“No, it’s not so bad,” Broos said of Appollis’ injury to the SABCSport.
“It was just a kick on his leg. Maybe tomorrow [Wednesday] he will feel a little discomfort, but there is nothing serious.”
Tuesday’s match also marked Broos’ 50th game in charge of Bafana Bafana. The Belgian has already become the longest-serving coach of the national team in the professional era and the first to guide South Africa to back-to-back AFCON qualifications.
“This is very, very good,” Broos said. “I think we’ve gone about 24 games without losing, and that means a lot.
“Now we have the AFCON. We have to avoid losing the first game like we did at the previous AFCON, because after that you face Egypt.
“That puts you under real pressure, and we want to avoid that. But I’m confident. I know the boys will be ready.”
Looking ahead to the tournament in Morocco, Broos made it clear that his ambitions extend beyond repeating last year’s bronze-medal finish in Ivory Coast.
“I think we did very well two years ago at the AFCON,” he added. “But this year we have to aim higher.
“It’s a very difficult tournament, but I believe we have the quality to do it. We will try to bring the gold back from that wonderful country.”
