I Was Almost Shot For Saying Osimhen Is A Big Star, Says South Africa Coach

Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has revealed that he was almost shot in South Africa after he said Nugeria’s Victor Osimhen, and not Percy Tau is a big star.

Broos rated Osimhen and Senegal talisman Sadio Mane ahead of Tau, who is Bafana Bafana’s biggest star.

“They almost shot me for it because I said that Percy Tau is not a big player,” Broos told Sjotcast.

“When I talk about a great player, I think of Mané of Senegal or Osimhen of Nigeria.

“The (South African) press then turns Percy Tau into a real star player.

“Strangely enough, Tau was criticised afterwards for not playing well.”

Broos, 71, revealed that he almost quit as Bafana Bafana coach after the AFCON in Cote d’Ivoire because of the harsh media criticism he has come under.

“That is always something that hurts. They accused me of having no respect for the nation and of not knowing African culture,” he said in reference to the local media backlash.

After edging past Bafana Bafana on penalties in the semifinal of the 2023 AFCON in Cote d’Ivoire, the Super Eagles will welcome the same team to Uyo on June 7 in a must-win 2026 World Cup qualifier.