When Broos Faced Threats for Tau, Osimhen Comparisons as Nigeria, South Africa Clash Looms

• Hugo Broos has been in charge of the South African national team since 2021
• The Belgian has managed numerous elite players during this time as manager
• The 71-year-old has stated that he was threatened because of his comparison

South Africa's Bafana Bafana have experienced significant improvement since Hugo Broos took up the reins as manager of the team in May of 2021.

The Belgian coach, who recently guided the team to a bronze medal at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), has overseen many stars during his tenure.

Under Broos' guidance, Bafana Bafana has made significant strides in improving after years of mediocrity and missing out on numerous global tournaments.

While some players have displayed exceptional skill and breathtaking abilities, others have failed to meet expectations as part of the national set-up.

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Among the many players Broos has worked with, one standout talent is Percy Tau. The 29-year-old is widely regarded as one of Africa's finest footballers in recent years and is arguably South Africa's best footballing export.

However, Broos recently disclosed that a comment he made about Tau and Nigerian forward, Victor Osimhen, nearly saw him get 'shot'.

Broos faced danger over Tau, Osimhen comparisons

In an interview on the Frank & Franky Podcast, as reported by Belgian media outlet, m.nieuwsblad.be, the South African national coach expressed his frustration with the intense criticism directed at him and recounted a startling incident where he faced threats of violence over a statement he made about Tau and Osimhen.

"They almost shot me because I said Percy Tau isn't a big player. When I think of a great player, I think of [Sadio] Mane from Senegal or Osimhen from Nigeria. The press then made Percy Tau out to be a star player. Surprisingly, Tau was criticised later for not playing well."

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The septuagenarian’s comments, highlighting the exceptional talent of Napoli's Osimhen, did not sit well with some local fans and pundits, who believe Tau's achievements deserved more recognition.

Despite the backlash, Broos maintained his stance that players like Osimhen were currently performing at a higher level than Tau.

Broos will lead his South African team as they renew their rivalry with Nigeria in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification series on June 7.

Finidi submits list for South Africa’s clash

Sports Brief also reported on Finidi George submitting Nigeria's squad list to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

The 53-year-old, recently appointed as Super Eagles coach, has included many players who featured at the AFCON.