Broos defends South Africa progress as World Cup prep begins

South Africa head coach Hugo Broos has rejected claims of regression following his side’s 2-1 Africa Cup of Nations exit at the hands of Cameroon. Despite a first-round knockout in Rabat, the veteran Belgian tactician insists the performance did not reflect a step backward for the national team.

"We don't go backwards—maybe in some games performances were not at the level everyone knows, but you can't say that for today," Broos remarked. He highlighted that footballing fortune, which saw them finish third in the previous tournament, simply deserted them during Sunday's decisive clash.

Bafana Bafana now turn their immediate attention to the 2026 World Cup, having qualified for the global showpiece for the first time since 2010. After topping their qualifying section ahead of Nigeria, they are set to face co-hosts Mexico in a high-profile opening fixture on June 11.

Broos emphasized that a detailed evaluation of their AFCON campaign will be conducted over the coming weeks to ensure the squad is refined. "The World Cup is in six months and we need to be ready for that," he added, noting that preparations will ramp up with friendlies in March.

While the disappointment of the Rabat defeat lingers, the focus remains on North America, where South Africa will also face South Korea. Broos remains confident that with the right adjustments, his side will be prepared to compete on the world stage this summer.