Jonty Mark

By Jonty Mark

Football Editor


Broos refuses to speak after Liberia leave Bafana red-faced

"If I say now what I think it will not be nice,” said the Bafana head coach.


A clearly upset Hugo Broos refused to answer questions on Bafana Bafana’s performance on Friday, after his side had slipped to a 2-2 Africa Cup of Nations Group K draw at home to Liberia.

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The result leaves Bafana’s Africa Cup of Nations fate hanging in the balance – they play the return match in Liberia on Tuesday knowing a win will qualify them for the finals, but that a defeat will mean they will fail to qualify for a 24-team Afcon for the second time in a row.

If they do fail to qualify, it could well be the end for Broos, who has already said he will take the blame if Bafana do not make it.

The Bafana head coach grew increasingly frustrated at Orlando Stadium as Bafana wasted chance after chance to kill off the game, having taken an early 2-0 lead. When Mohammed Sangare fired in Liberia’s equaliser in the first minute of stoppage time, Broos walked off the pitch.

Bafana later sent assistant coach Helman Mkhalele to do the post-match press conference but journalists demanded the head coach, who arrived but then just made a brief statement before walking out.

‘Too much disappointment’

“You have to excuse me, today I will not give much comment, I will not answer questions, there is too much disappointment and and frustration in my body. If I say now what I think it will not be nice,” said Broos.

“I have always been ready in the past to answer your questions, today it is difficult to do that. I hope when you saw the game and what happened, you can also understand my reaction.”

Bafana’s chances on Tuesday are not helped by the fact that Liberia are able to play again in Monrovia, with the Samuel Doe Kanyon Sports Complex now passed fit to host Afcon qualifiers.