Roger De Sa: Bafana Bafana have no reason to miss AFCON 2023

Former Bafana Bafana goalkeeper Roger De Sa has warned the current national
team manager, Hugo Broos, against taking Liberia for granted.

The retired keeper feels Broos must maintain consistency when they meet the West Africans in their second 2023 CAF African Cup of Nations Qualifiers in September.

Bafana kicked off their qualifying campaign en route to Cote d’Ivoire with a
disappointing loss at the hands of Morocco on Thursday last week.

The 2-1 loss means the Southern Africans will be under pressure to secure a win
against the Liberians but the former Egypt assistant coach says the Belgian mentor and his troops must fight harder to book a spot at the continental showpiece.

Broos came under fire for his unconvincing team selection as some local pundits and coaches continue to question Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Andile Jali’s exclusion from the national team.

Despite helping the Brazilians to secure a treble in the previous DStv Premiership
season and clinching the DStv Premiership Midfielder of the Season accolade, Jali
has been a notable absentee in the national squad.

“If they don’t qualify this time around they never will,” De Sa told KickOff.
“If they don’t qualify this time with three teams in the group, then they will never
qualify.

“With three teams in the group they have to qualify, there should be no reason we don’t qualify.

“I think 2-1 is still a loss but it’s a good result, and I just hope they can build on
from here. Look it’s never easy, I played against Liberia with Egypt three, four
months ago, it was a friendly match, and Liberia is a young team that competes.

“We are very lucky that Liberia are not playing at home, we will play in a neutral
venue.”

The former Sundowns gloveman and Orlando Pirates coach also touched on the
importance of making it to the tournament, saying Broos must maintain continuity in his approach.

“That’s why I said if we can’t go through now we never will because we don’t even have to go to Liberia,” he added.

“We playing in Morocco in a neutral venue so it should be a little bit easier for
Bafana I just hope they remain consistent and I hope the coach will be consistent in his approach he’s got a lot of experience and I think he will continue to do that.

I think the main objective is to qualify, that’s number one.”
With Zimbabwe having been disqualified for the qualifiers, Bafana have to bag two wins when they meet the Liberians at home and away.

As things stand, the 1996 African champions sit at number three with zero points
from their single match while the Atlas Lions top the standings in Group K.
Image source: Bafana Bafana Twitter

Main Image: Bafana Bafana

Article by: Phumzile Ngcatshe

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