Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos was tight-lipped on "some things" that affected the players' performance against Eswatini, although he spoke about external factors potentially disrupting his players ahead of that game.
South Africa were held to a goalless draw by 144th-ranked Eswatini, where they could not create clear chances and did not look motivated for the encounter.
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Broos said after the game that his charges lacked desire and passion against Sihlangu Semnikati and it was the first time he was so disappointed since he became the Bafana coach.
The Belgian alluded to "some things" that affected Bafana's performance but he did not want to elaborate further.
"We will see in the next weeks if that is really a game that will put us two, three months back again," Broos said in a press conference.
"I think it's just a bad day and a day that is made by some things, of which I don't want to talk (about), I will talk with the players about that but I don't think it's suddenly a lack of quality and a lack of good players," he said.
Prior to the game against Eswatini, Broos revealed that the players have a disagreement with SAFA over the payment arrangement for the Africa Cup of Nations bonuses and said he hoped it won't affect their games against their Southern African neighbours and then Ivory Coast on Tuesday.
"I can't deny it, there are problems at the moment," Broos was quoted as saying by SABC Sport.
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"You know, it's always the same when the big tournaments are there – there's a discussion about bonuses and so on…it's always a discussion. At the moment the discussions are not so positive for the players.
"But I know, with my experience, in the end there will always be an agreement. It's not really motivating that we have this before our game (against Eswatini) and the trip to Ivory Coast. I hope this will not affect the players' performance," he said.
SAFA also had a bonus row with Banyana Banyana players prior to their FIFA Women's World Cup in New Zealand and Australia this year, where the players boycotted their supposed send off friendly game against Botswana.
There were question marks on whether Banyana would participate at the World Cup but their payment impasse with SAFA was resolved after Motsepe Foundation and Ithuba National Lottery had donated a combined R8 million.
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