Former Cameroon captain Stephane Mbia says Hugo Broos could repeat his Africa Cup of Nations triumph with Bafana Bafana but South Africans have to believe in him and his methods.
He said when the Belgian tactician led Cameroon to the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) triumph in 2017, the majority of the players were unknown and others were handed the caps by him.
Broos, who was appointed by SAFA as Bafana coach in May 2021 on a five-year contract, but his job came under fire in the recent qualifying matches last month, after they let a two-goal lead being wiped away at home by Liberia, where a win would have been enough for Bafana to qualify.
Bafana were leading 2-0 but Liberia scored two goals late to stun the nation to end the game level to leave Mzansi’s chances of qualifying for AFCON in balance, with Broos storming off the pitch and snubbing the media afterwards.
But despite the pressure built for drawing in Mzansi, Bafana put up a fight to beat Liberia in Monrovia to seal their place in the AFCON finals that will be held in Ivory Coast in January and February next year.
Mbia, who missed the AFCON triumph in 2017 in Gabon when Benjamin Moukandjo was named the captain and lifted the competition for his country, insists South Africans have to back their outspoken coach.
“You have to believe, believe and believe,” said Mbia to iDiski Times in Durban as he was one of ex-players for the CAF African School Football Championship alongside Asamoah Gyan, Siaka Tiene, Clarence Seerdorf, Lucas Radebe, Allassane N’Dour, Karim Haggu and Robert Kidiaba.
“You guys have good players and you know what? Follow him and try to be positive.”
During the qualifiers for the 2017 tournament, where Mbia was the captain, Cameroon met Bafana in the qualifiers, drawing 2-2 in Limbe and picking up a goalless draw at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in the return match.
The 2-2 will be remembered for Hlompho Kekana scoring a brilliant goal from his own half, catching goalie Ndy Assembe off his goal post. When Kekana’s name was mentioned to Mbia, he said “he must be the legend now”.
That Cameroon team that went on to win the AFCON trophy, was built from scratch. It is the same thing that was done by Broos to this Bafana squad, saying on his unveiling that the squad that failed to qualify for the AFCON finals in Cameroon was too old and lacked hunger.
As a consequence, Broos initially overlooked players like Themba Zwane, but the Sundowns midfielder continued to turn on the magic with his club. That forced Broos to recall him late last year, saying “only fools don’t change their minds”.
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With this newly built Bafana squad, Mbia said Broos can emulate what he did with Cameroon in the AFCON finals next year.
“He can do the same thing,” said the former Marseille midfielder.
“But they have to work it. For us we created the football centre for the young players so that they work and try to better and be successful for the next generation.
“We had a good generation for the last 10 years and now we are starting all over again.”
