France coach Didier Deschamps has pointed out four Bafana Bafana stars who he is aware of ahead of their friendly against South Africa on Tuesday.
The French coach was speaking at the pre-match press conference ahead of Tuesday’s game at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy in Lille.
Deschamps said it is not often the French play African opponents, and named four South African players he’s aware of from watching them in their previous games.
“I know (about) the offensive players, (Keagan) Dolly, and the two forwards (Victor) Letsoalo and (Evidence) Makgopa, and (Ethan) Brooks, the young player,” the 2018 FIFA World Cup winning coach said.
“Even if it’s a friendly game, it’s a game that must act as a preparation for us for the World Cup.
“It give us the opportunity to play against an African team, it is not the case very often for us. For example against South Africa, the last game was in 2010 at the World Cup.
“Okay, for the next World Cup we may play against African nations, and those teams may have the same qualities and the same way of playing like South Africa.
Deschamps says they have watched Bafana’s recent game in preparation, as Hugo Broos’s squad is relatively new to internationals.
“South Africa has a new generation of players,” Deschamps continued.
“And it explains why South Africa didn’t qualify for the CAN, the African Cup or the World Cup.
“There are local players, who don’t have a lot of international experience. But obviously, we have watched South African games, the last several games. And I’ve also watched the last game in Belgium against Guinea.
“But I don’t think it will be the same team, because there are a lot of young players.”
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