South Africa coach Hugo Broos has fired a warning shot at Ghana ahead of the 2022 World Cup qualifiers.
The former Cameroon coach is determined to build a crack squad capable of qualifying to the global showpiece in Qatar.
However, the Bafana Bafana must fend off competition from favourites Ghana, Ethiopia and Zimbabwe in Group G of the qualifying campaign.
The Belgian tactician says the Black Stars are an open book to them – before adding that they have a plan to overcome the West African giants.
“Every team can be beaten. But it’s not guaranteed that since I know Ghana we’ll beat them again. But we have to be ready for that (game). But we’ll see in September whether Bafana will be ready to beat Ghana. But it’s possible, why not?” he said.
“I can make my own choices. I don’t have to look at anybody. When you know the players already, sometimes it’s difficult to make the choice. I am clean for the moment because I know I don’t have to count the names or whatever,” Broos said.
Broos, 69, played as a defender for two of Belgium’s biggest clubs, RSC Anderlecht and Club Brugge. He made more than 500 appearances during those spells. He also earned 24 caps for the national team in a playing career that spanned almost two decades.
He then hung up his boots in 1988 for a place in the dugout.
He has coached Brugge, Anderlecht, KRC Genk and Zulte Waregem in Belgium.
It won’t be easy, though. Bafana are in a group with 2010 World Cup finalists Ghana and Zimbabwe – who, unlike Bafana, will be heading to Cameroon next year. Ethiopia completes the group.
Of course, Broos lost his job in Cameroon 10 months after the Afcon triumph. This after the nation’s failure to qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
The Indomitable Lions finished third in their qualifying group for the global showpiece, six points behind eventual qualifiers Nigeria. He will be hoping for a bit more success in that aspect in this new job.