'I don't want to kill myself': Broos protecting Bafana's confidence after harsh criticism

Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos revealed that the harsh criticism they received after their defeats to world champions France and Morocco was part of the reason why the national team will play international friendly matches against the lowly ranked Sierra Leone and Botswana.

In late March, Broos and his charges landed in Europe for games against Guinea in Belgium and Les Bleus in Lyon. It was the first time the senior national team had played in Europe for nearly a decade.

This came after Broos had requested more than once that South Africa play against better quality teams to see an improvement in their football development.

The trip was also Broos and Bafana's first matches since losing to Ghana in November 2021, ending their hopes of qualifying for the FIFA World Cup in Qatar later this year. 

South Africa came up short in a goalless draw against a spirited Guinea outfit before jumping onto an aeroplane to France.

There they would get a taste of the highest quality of football. 

It was lightwork for Didier Deschamps's charges as they inflicted a heavy 5-0 defeat to Broos' side. The scoreline could have easily gone into the double digits for the home side had it not been for captain and goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.

After the final whistle, Bafana players took to the field to grab pictures with the France players, something you rarely see in football matches, but because it was a friendly match, everyone indulged in capturing selfies.

That did not sit well with fans back in South Africa, and the players were criticised all over social media.

Next, South Africa kick-started their Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifications campaign against Morocco and nearly returned home with a positive result.

But the north Africans were in