Bafana Bafana have secured their place in the second round of the FIFA World Cup, and while the mood in the camp is one of pride and excitement, both Hugo Broos and Ime Okon are making clear that the job is far from done.
For Okon, reaching the knockout stage represents a moment that transcends football. The defender was in no doubt about what the achievement means for an entire nation.
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“It’s a historic moment for us as a country and we’re really happy and excited for it, you know, and if we can go on and we will, we keep working hard and looking forward to the next game,” Okon said.
Broos shared that sense of satisfaction but was equally quick to frame it as a platform rather than a destination. The Belgian coach acknowledged that qualification for the second round was the expectation, not the ceiling.
“As Ime said, we can safely say the World Cup is a success for us. Everyone expected and hoped we’d be in the second round and we are, which is important,” Broos said. “But it doesn’t mean we’re now happy and we’ll play the game and go home.”
‘It would be a miracle for Bafana’
The hunger Broos has drilled into this squad was on full display as he spoke about the mentality required to go further.
A strong performance against South Korea has given the squad belief, and the coach wants to see that standard carried into the next fixture.
“Once you’re there you want more and you want to win the game tomorrow also. If you can show the mentality and same level that we played against South Korea, then we have the chance to win it,” he said.
“Canada is a tough team, so we really have to be on our best level otherwise it will be impossible,” Broos said. “But if we achieve again to go to the next round, then it would be a miracle for Bafana Bafana.”
A miracle, perhaps. But this Bafana side has already started writing history.