Exclusive: 1996 Legend Shaun Bartlett On Bafana Setting Their Sights On Silverware

Former Bafana Bafana striker Shaun Bartlett is confident his national team will sail through the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifiers, and the team should actually set their sights much higher than simply appearing at the African showpiece event next year.

Bafana need just two points from their two remaining matches to book their spot at Afcon next year. First up they will face Uganda away on Friday, before their final qualifier clash four days later at home against South Sudan in Cape Town.

“I think obviously we were hoping they could do it in the last game. Had they won that game they would have qualified,” Bartlett told SportsBoom.com in an exclusive interview. 

“So we've got two games left, one home and away. And two points is needed but I think it's important that we get that victory as quickly as possible.”

Hugo Broos has been a revelation

Since taking over the reigns at Bafana as coach in 2021, Hugo Broos has sparked excitement about the national team that had been dwindling. In fact, the last time Bafana qualified for a Fifa World Cup dates back to the 2002 edition.

In comparison to the world conquering Springboks and highly competitive Proteas cricket teams, Bafana has battled to achieve anything of significance since they won the 1996 Afcon title as hosts. That was until they finished third at Afcon earlier this year.

Bartlett was a part of that 1996 team, and is in a good position to give an assessment of Broos.

“He’s a very experienced coach. I think he's been around the block for some time. He's been consistent in his team selection which is good.

“And also the way they play. They don't really change. Maybe at times [they are] a little bit predictable, but hopefully I think he will analyse also what he can do better with the team to see if we can go all the way.”

“But I think the fact that we were unbeaten for so many games, it shows obviously there's progress and there's definitely a lot of improvement.”

Ronwen Williams charting a path for African football

Though star Bafana and Mamelodi Sundowns keeper Ronwen Williams missed out on winning the Yashin Trophy at the Ballon d’Or awards last month, the fact that he was nominated could be a watershed moment, believed Bartlett.

“It's great for South Africa and for Africa as a continent because I don't think we've had that before.”

“To have someone like Ronwen to be recognised, it shows what he achieved in the Afcon especially, saving those four penalties.