South Africa boss Hugo Broos has emphasised his desire to win the Africa Cup of Nations for a second time as his side prepare to open their campaign in the Ivory Coast against Mali.

Broos was in charge of Cameroon when they lifted the trophy in Gabon in 2017.

The Belgian is now overseeing a Bafana Bafana outfit making an AFCON return with Tuesday’s Group E clash with Mali in Korhogo, having failed to qualify for the last tournament two years ago, hosted by Cameroon, under Molefi Ntseki.

Speaking at a press conference ahead of the match, Broos said: “When you won it once, you want to win it twice.

“It’s a fantastic feeling winning an AFCON. I’m a European but the intensity and joy, everything around winning an AFCON is unique, it’s really unique.

“It was a fantastic experience, and you can be sure that I dream of it, to do it a second time.

“But saying it is much easier than doing it, let’s start tomorrow and do our best and see where we arrive.”

The team are currently 66th in FIFA’s world rankings, 15 places below Mali, who were knocked out in the round of 16 in 2022.

The Eagles, managed by Eric Chelle, have been making checks on midfielder Mohamed Camara.

A statement posted on X, formerly Twitter, by the Malian football federation read: “Mohamed Camara travelled this afternoon to Abidjan where he will undergo an MRI for a final check following the injury contracted with his club, Monaco, a few weeks ago.”