Hugo Broos: South Africa Coach Makes Fresh Morocco Claims Ahead of AFCON 2023 Round of 16 Clash

• Hugo Broos has suggested that Morocco might not be as though as they used to be
• South Africa take on the Atlas Lions in a Round of 16 clash at the ongoing 2023 Africa Cup of Nations
• Broos believes his side could go all the way to defeat the North Africans

The head coach of the South African national football team, Hugo Broos, has suggested that the Atlas Lions of Morocco "may not be as good as at the World Cup".

Morocco became the first African team to reach the semi-final of a FIFA World Cup when they achieved the feat in Qatar in 2022.

Broos admits that the AFCON Round of 16 clash would be a tough one but believes the North African side might not be as strong as they were just over a year ago.

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South Africa failed to qualify for the Mundial in 2022 and are ranked 66th in the world and 12th best team in Africa.

Bafana Bafana head into the showdown with a better head-to-head record against Morocco (three wins, three draws and two defeats in eight matches), and recent clashes have been close.

Broos believes his side can defeat the Atlas Lions to pick a quarter-final ticket. He said, via Times Live:

“I think it will be a 50/50 game.

“Maybe Morocco are not what they were at the World Cup, but I think they want to win Afcon.

“And I think, maybe for the last time, in a way of speaking, they will achieve their highest level.

“They were not very good in the group stages, but it’s still a very good team."

Morocco vs South Africa Preview

Sports Brief earlier reported that the Atlas Lions will head into their clash against Bafana Bafana in fine form, going undefeated in the group stage with two wins and one draw.

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Morocco recorded a draw against DR Congo and defeated Zambia and Tanzania to claim first place in Group F.

South Africa defender Khuliso Mudau suffered an injury against Tunisia, and his status for the game against Morocco remains uncertain.