Hugo Broos has insisted that he believes his team can beat Liberia in Monrovia on Tuesday, but also warned his players that nothing will nee handed to them on a silver platter.
The Belgian tactician was too frustrated with his side-s two-goal capitulation and controversially snubbed media duties after the 2-2 draw in the reverse fixture at Orlando Stadium on Friday.
However, having cooled down and apologised for his antics, Broos has stated that he hopes his team – who he believes were the better side on Friday – have learnt from their mistakes.
“We let the victory slip away, there was no reason to,” he said at the pre-match press conference.
“We missed too many chances, Liberia took advantage of that. On the bench I felt that it could happen, certainly in the second half.
“We were not anymore on the same level as in the first half. Still, we had three to four good chances, so we can say we should’ve scored one or two of the chances, the result should’ve been 3-0 or 4-0, the Liberians [wouldn’t] have believed in it anymore and we’d be here today already with a victory.
“It didn’t happen, so we have to do it tomorrow. It’s not that because it slipped away on Friday, I don’t believe anymore in my team. I know they are able to have a victory tomorrow.”
Broos insisted his side cannot expect any presents from the hosts on Tuesday, and need to be ready to perform from the first till the final minute, if they want to collect the all-important win.
“But I know also that the Liberians will not give us presents tomorrow. We gave them a little bit hope on Friday, we gave them believe. It’s up to use now from the beginning of the game that they don’t have to believe and don’t have that to have a good result.
“It will be tough, I know it. See the weather circumstances, I didn’t see the pitch, but I think artificial turf is always tricky. But ok, we are one day before the game, we know we have to do it tomorrow afternoon and I’m also convinced that my team is ready for tomorrow.
“I know that will not be enough. I think everyone saw that if we play on our level that we are the better team but in football it’s not enough, it’s not enough to be only the better team. That’s what Liberia proved and showed us on Friday.
“It’s up to us now to not make the same mistakes and to begin the game ready, not let the Liberians think that it can be possible for them.
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“Again, I can say that from this chair it’s easy, we will have to do it tomorrow. But I said it already, I believe in my team that we can do it and go back to South Africa with a victory tomorrow.”
A victory in Monrovia would see Broos’ men qualify for next year’s Africa Cup of Nations, while a defeat would see Liberia book their ticket. A draw would mean calculators out once more.
