Broos identifies European gap after Bafana Bafana's AFCON exit

South Africa coach Hugo Broos has identified a crucial gap in his squad's experience, pinpointing the lack of players competing in Europe's top leagues as a major factor in their early exit from the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Reflecting on the Round of 16 defeat to Cameroon, the Belgian tactician explained that competing in South Africa's domestic Premier Soccer League (PSL) does not provide the same level of challenge required for success at the continent's elite tournament.

"I said from the beginning that the level of the PSL compared with the level we had in the last weeks is very different," Broos stated. "You can only close that gap when you have players who are also playing in very difficult competitions."

Broos highlighted the advantage held by other nations, noting, "There are teams at the Cup of Nations with players who play in Europe. We mostly don’t have them, and that is a disadvantage for South Africa."

He emphasised that player development is a continuous process, arguing that the occasional high-pressure international friendly is not a substitute for weekly battles in Europe's demanding leagues.

Looking forward, Broos expressed hope that future generations of South African players will have more opportunities abroad. "So let’s hope that players in the future have more opportunities to go to Europe and play in those very difficult competitions and face those challenges, because that should help this team enormously," he said.

Despite the disappointment of failing to build on their bronze-medal performance from the previous AFCON, Broos remains in charge and is now tasked with turning this analysis into progress as the team refocuses on qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

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