Hugo Broos Opens Up on What Coach Jose Peseiro Told Him After Nigeria Lost AFCON 2023 Final

• Hugo Broos led South Africa to a 3rd-place finish at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations
• The Bafana Bafana tactician disclosed what Jose Peseiro told him after the Super Eagles lost the final
• Broos has now set his sights on qualifying South Africa for the 2026 FIFA World Cup

The head coach of the South African national football team, Hugo Broos, has disclosed what Jose Peseiro told him after Nigeria lost to Ivory Coast in the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

Nigeria failed to hold on to their first-half lead as the Elephants netted two second-half goals to claim the title with a 2-1 win.

But despite the defeat, Broos stated that the coach of the Nigerian team admitted that South Africa were tougher opponents.

Bafana Bafana performed beyond expectation, winning the bronze medals after a penalty shootout win over DR Congo in the 3rd place match.

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They lost to the Super Eagles of Nigeria in a pulsating semi-final clash, but despite that, Peseiro suggested that South Africa posed a tougher threat to Nigeria.

Hugo Broos told Marawa Sports Worldwide via SNL24:

“They were surprised and I saw the coach (Peseiro) on Sunday after the final and he came to me and said, ‘You did it very well against us, you were more a threat than Ivory Coast, it was for us a surprise the way you played.

“So, this is what I want with them and when you can do that because this is a team with great potential and let’s hope that we can succeed every time playing like this."

South Africa and Nigeria are in the same group in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification series alongside Lesotho, Zimbabwe, Rwanda and Benin. Broos believes his side can qualify for the Mundial. He added:

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“Yes, and maybe not sure as yet, but I believe we have a very big chance to be at the World Cup in 2026, we can make it."

Broos hails South African fans

Sports Brief earlier reported that South Africa exceeded expectations at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations as they finished third, behind the host nation of the Ivory Coast and the Super Eagles of Nigeria.

The team started the competition badly when they lost to the Eagles of Mali 2-0 in their first Group E game.

Bafana Bafana's journey at the competition ended on a good note, and the nation's success was acknowledged by Hugo Broos, who gave credit to the team behind South Africa's success.