Hugo Broos has identified what will be the "most difficult" part of Bafana Bafana's upcoming AFCON campaign.
Bafana will kick off their AFCON title ambitions with a Group E clash against Mali on 16 January before meeting Namibia on 21 January and will wrap up the group stage action against Tunisia on 24 January.
READ | Broos explains surprise Blom, Hlongwane exclusions
"If we don't pass the group stages we will not be happy, that's for sure," Broos told journalists shortly after his squad announcement.
"I think that has to be our first goal and you know, passing the group stages is the most difficult thing in the tournament and maybe you might be surprised by that, but that's the way it is because you are playing against three opponents who are 100% motivated, 100% physically in order and 100% mentally in order, who also want to pass those group stages.
"I had the experience with Cameroon years ago, that this was the most difficult part of the tournament, to pass those group stages because everyone can win against anyone. Namibia can win against Tunisia, Tunisia can win against us and we can win against Tunisia, so you never know.
ALSO READ | 'They said no, forget it,' – Broos explains Foster's 'complicated' Bafana absence
"So, let's make the first goal in saying have to pass the group stages and then it depends who you play against [in the last 16] because you could play against Morocco. You can play against Senegal. Are you sure that you will be around further? I don't know.
"So, in a tournament everything is important but let's first on the group stages and try to pass them."
Broos' men assemble in Stellenbosch on 4 January to begin camp and will play a practice match against Lesotho on Wednesday, 10 January before flying to Ivory Coast the following day.
You must be SIGNED IN to read and post comments.
Click HERE to register!