South Africa coach Hugo Broos has expressed confidence ahead of their World Cup qualifier clash against Nigeria in June, stating that his team is not afraid of any African team.
Broos, who has built the team around home-based players, feels that they have improved significantly since he took over as coach in 2021.
South Africa finished third in the last Africa Cup of Nations, defeating Morocco in the run-up to their bronze-medal finish.
Despite drawing 1-1 with Andorra and playing a 3-3 draw with Algeria in their recent friendlies, Broos believes that his team has progressed and is ready to face any African opposition.
Nigeria, on the other hand, is facing challenges finding their footing after coach Jose Peseiro left the team at the end of February.
“We played against a very strong team, but I do not think there was much difference between the quality of our game and the quality of the game in Algeria,” Broos said per Sunday World.
“That means we have progressed in the last few months. We already showed that in the AFCON, and we did it again against Algeria. So, I don’t think we have to be afraid anymore of playing against any team in Africa.”