Bafana mentor Hugo Broos Image: Source (@ThjomasMlambo/Twitter)
‘Broos must win AFCON with Bafana’ – Botswana boss Mpote
Botswana boss Mogomotsi Mpote has hit back at Bafana coach Hugo Broos and challenged him to win AFCON next year.
Bafana mentor Hugo Broos Image: Source (@ThjomasMlambo/Twitter)
After attacking Botswana via his statements last month, national team coach Mogomotsi Mpote has hit back at Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos, challenging him to win the AFCON.
The Belgian manager, Broos criticised the Zebras as Botswana are known, saying they must focus on playing top teams in Africa, not their neighbours.
ALSO READ I City can’t be crucified for not keeping Makola – club official
Broos uttered these words after facing Morocco in their final AFCON Qualifier at FNB Stadium last month, but it seems Mpote was not pleased with the statement.
BOTSWANA COACH HITS BACK AT BROOS’ SENTIMENTS
Mpote said Botswana have been the victim of perceived attacks from the Bafana manager, but he challenged the coach that he must ensure he wins the AFCON tournament in Cote d’Ivoire.
Looking at Broos’ statements, he said his side must play against good opponents but said he respects his fellow Southern Africans.
ALSO READ: Hugo Broos says ‘don’t ask for miracles’ ahead of Morocco game
The 61-year-old Mpote has broken his silence and challenged his counterpart to win the AFCON title after his failure to guide the 1996 African champions Bafana to the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
“We are Batswana and Batswana are known to be peaceful people, whether he rubbishes us or does whatever, let him talk,” Mpote told the media.
“I think South Africa employed him to take this team to the World Cup, he failed, didn’t he? To qualify and win the Afcon, isn’t it?
“We will always respect South Africa as a country and Bafana Bafana as a national team. We will always respect that [but] let’s see if he [Broos] will win Afcon, if he will win the World Cup.
ALSO READ: Bafana coach fed up with clubs refusing to release players
“Let’s wait and see. For us, we don’t have a problem with talking like that to Batswana because Batswana and South Africans are sisters and brothers.”
BROOS ON WHY BAFANA MUST NOT FACE BOTSWANA
The 71-year-old Broos said his troops should play more big teams as they prepare for the AFCON tournament scheduled to take place next year.
“There’s no anger between the players – it’s a bunch of friends,” he said.
ALSO READ I Broos says Bafana must play strong teams, NOT Botswana
“They help each other. You can see now in the dressing room, it’s crazy. Even the boys on the bench are delighted. This is something we worked on.
“There’s a FIFA window in September, October, and November. During the preparations in January for AFCON, we’ll try to have some games also.
“You don’t have to play, play, play, but you must play, and now, you must play against good opponents. With all respect, don’t play against Botswana again. No.”
