Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has reflected on their surprise 2-2 with Uganda in their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations opener at Orlando Stadium on Friday evening.
South Africa’s Group K opener proved a tricky night for the hosts in a game that promised so much as they looked in full control leading 1-0 at the break.
Chances were created at will, there was flair, intricate passing and entertainment for the home supporters with Lyle Foster scoring in the 14th minute on his former home ground.
But two long-range efforts from the Cranes in the space of four second-half minutes undid all the grafting and endeavour, with Denis Omedi and Rogers Mato securing the comeback, the second goal, which was a howler from Veli Mothwa in his attempt at saving the 40-meter effort.
However, there was a silver lining, as Thalente Mbatha scored a late equaliser to salvage a draw.
“I’m sitting here with mixed feelings,” Broos said in the post-match press conference.
“At the one side, very happy because we at least could have a draw. On the other side disappointed because couldn’t win the game.
“First half, we had some chances, we could’ve scored more than 1-0. But from the beginning I think it was clear that Uganda were much sharper than we were.
“That was something I was afraid of before the game. You see them come out of the dressing room, not sharp enough and in two, three minutes you’re 2-1 down.
“But the reaction after that and also the changes we made in the team made us come back to have that point that we needed today, which would a little bit a disaster if we had lost today.
“That point will give us a boost. I think for next Tuesday we have to review a little bit the things we will have to to and try to have a sharper team on the pitch than we had today because it wasn’t easy.
“The game of Uganda was simple, very aggressive when they lost the ball, then ball in front and players who were running and we didn’t really have an answer for that.
“But again, I’m happy with the draw, very happy with the draw and I’m sure next Tuesday we will see another South Africa the today.”
South Africa now travel to Juba to face South Sudan next Tuesday for their next 2025 AFCON qualifier while Uganda will host group leaders Congo Brazzaville.
