‘It was a painful three months’: Williams speaks on Bafana reclaiming their identity

Bafana Bafana captain Ronwen Williams has admitted that the squad is on a mission to win back the trust of head coach Hugo Broos as they begin their “reset” ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

South Africa returns to action for the first time since a disappointing 2025 AFCON campaign in Morocco, facing Central American side Panama in back-to-back friendlies—first in Durban this Friday, followed by a trip to Cape Town on Tuesday.

Speaking from the team camp on Thursday, Williams revealed that the three months away from the national setup were filled with painful reflection following their early exit from the continental showpiece.

Restoring the Bafana Bafana Identity

The resurgence of Bafana follows a steady climb in the FIFA world rankings since Hugo Broos’ arrival four years ago, a tenure highlighted by a return to continental relevance. Under the Belgian’s guidance, South Africa secured a bronze medal finish at the 2023 AFCON in Ivory Coast and achieved the historic feat of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

However, this momentum faced a significant hurdle during the recent 2025 AFCON in Morocco, where a disappointing campaign left the squad seeking to rediscover the identity and consistency that initially fueled their rise.

For Williams, the focus in camp has shifted away from tactical drills and toward rediscovering the values that made the team successful over the last two years.

“It was a very painful three months because of our experience at AFCON,” Williams told reporters. “A lot of guys had to go away and look at where we got it wrong and at our identity as a team. The identity and the energy in training have been amazing over the last few days. We are slowly coming back.”

Williams was candid about the team’s failure to meet expectations in Morocco, acknowledging that the squad’s dip in standards was a humbling experience.

“We need to go back to the values that made us so successful. We did let that go. It took a very long time for the players to feel normal again because the disappointment was so big. Now is the time to show we have learned and to win back the trust of the coach because, obviously, we let him down.”

No Room for Underperformance In Broos’ Bafana Squad

While Panama may not carry the same historical weight as Bafana’s World Cup Group A opponents, Mexico, Williams insists that the intensity in training reflects a squad fighting for their lives.

Hugo Broos has already sent a stern warning to the players: underperformance in these friendlies will not be tolerated with the World Cup just months away.

“This game can humble you, and it is painful,” Williams added. “We felt we had built something very good, and for it to slip away at such a crucial moment just shows you. We have to stick to the values that put us among the best.”

The Panama Challenge

The “Los Canaleros” will provide a physical and tactical test similar to what Bafana might expect on the global stage. With the World Cup squad selection looming, these two matches represent the final audition for several fringe players looking to secure their tickets to North America.

FIXTURE DETAILS:

Match 1: Bafana Bafana vs Panama – Durban (Friday, 27 March)

Match 2: Bafana Bafana vs Panama – Cape Town (Tuesday, 31 March)