Johannesburg – South Africa’s national team coach, Hugo Broos, has voiced strong concerns regarding the organization of the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025, set to be hosted in Morocco. His criticisms come ahead of Bafana Bafana’s crucial match against Cameroon.
Broos expressed his dissatisfaction with logistical challenges, particularly the travel time between the team’s accommodations and training facilities. “We are spending approximately 45 minutes traveling from our residence to the training ground. This is unacceptable,” Broos stated. “In a tournament of AFCON’s magnitude, the travel time should ideally be no more than 15 to 20 minutes, especially considering we might face Morocco in the next round if we qualify.”
The coach also drew a stark contrast between the current preparations and his experiences in previous AFCON editions held in Gabon and Cote d’Ivoire. He noted a significant difference in the overall atmosphere and fan engagement. “I don’t feel the same atmosphere we experienced in Gabon or Cote d’Ivoire. Back then, we truly felt like we were part of a major tournament. Fans were waving flags and cheering us on our way to training. Here, there is none of that,” he lamented.
Broos further highlighted the low attendance at South Africa’s matches. “Hardly anyone attended our games against Zimbabwe or Angola. In Cote d’Ivoire, our matches against Mali, Tunisia, and Namibia were played in packed stadiums.”
Broos’s concerns extend beyond logistical inconveniences, touching upon issues of personal security. He recounted a distressing incident involving his family during South Africa’s match against Egypt. “Police prevented my wife, who was with us, from entering the stadium despite her having a valid ticket. At the same time, they allowed individuals without tickets to enter. My wife felt extremely frightened, and the organization was disastrous,” Broos revealed.
He described the experience as completely unacceptable for a major tournament, emphasizing that such organizational failures negatively impact the morale of the players and their families, ultimately undermining the credibility of the competition. Broos concluded by stating that the lack of fan interaction and the organizational chaos have diminished the usual excitement surrounding the Africa Cup of Nations. He stressed the importance of addressing these issues to ensure a successful and enjoyable tournament.
