South Africa vs Cameroon AFCON 2026: Hugo Broos Vows 'No Mercy' for Former Team

There's no room for sentiment in knockout football. South Africa coach Hugo Broos has promised to show "no mercy" to Cameroon when he faces his former side in the AFCON 2026 last 16 on Sunday. Broos, who famously led the Indomitable Lions to the title in 2017, now finds himself as the primary obstacle to their continental ambitions.

High Stakes in South Africa vs Cameroon AFCON 2026 Battle

Speaking to reporters in Rabat, the 73-year-old Belgian acknowledged the emotional weight of the fixture but remained clinical about his objectives. He noted that while a part of Cameroon stays in his heart, his current allegiance lies solely with Bafana Bafana. According to Reuters, Broos warned that his team must be at their best to overcome a Cameroon squad he describes as having a "good fighting spirit."

Cameroon's journey to this stage hasn't been smooth. The team navigated a chaotic build-up after Samuel Eto’o, the federation president, sacked coach Marc Brys just weeks before the tournament. Under replacement David Pagou, the team still managed to secure 7 points in the group stage. Broos admitted he was surprised by their resilience despite the lack of preparation time.

Logistical Frustrations and Quarterfinal Dreams

The buildup to the match hasn't been without controversy. Broos expressed his frustration with CAF regarding the training facilities in Morocco. His squad has been forced to commute 45 minutes from their hotel to the national team facility, a move Broos labeled as "unhappy" for his preparations.