South Africa's head coach, Hugo Broos, asserts that his team won't be burdened by pressure as they approach the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) semi-final against Nigeria this Wednesday, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.
Despite a hard-fought quarter-final victory against Cape Verde, marking their first semi-final appearance in 24 years, Broos is optimistic about his team's mindset.
Following a penalty shootout where goalkeeper Ronwen Williams showcased his skills with four crucial saves, Broos shared his perspective during the post-match press conference, stating, as reported by France24: "It is maybe bizarre for me to say that, but for us, our AFCON has already been a success.
“We are in the semi-finals. Nobody thought we would do that when we left South Africa to come here."
Broos emphasized the reduced pressure on his team, expressing certainty about the upcoming clash with Nigeria.
He clarified, "There will be less pressure on us when we face Nigeria; I am certain of that. That doesn’t mean we don’t want to play the final, certainly not."
The encounter is set to take place at the Stade de la Paix, Bouake, on Wednesday night.
By Olujimi Dare Ogun