Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has hit out at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations organizers, describing the tournament atmosphere in Morocco as “subdued” and “chaos.”
Broos, who won the tournament in 2017 with Cameroon and led South Africa to third place last year, said Morocco lacks the passion he felt in Gabon and Ivory Coast.
“When we went with the bus to train [in previous hosts], people were waving flags; here there is nothing,” he said.
Beyond the quiet streets, Broos raised serious concerns over safety and attendance.
He noted poor turnouts for matches against Zimbabwe and Angola, claiming locals aren’t involved.
Broos slammed organizers after his family was caught in “chaos” during the match against Egypt. He claimed ticket-holders were blocked by police while crowds without tickets were allowed entry, leaving his wife “afraid.”
While the coach praised the quality of the training pitches and the team’s “fantastic” hotel in Marrakesh, his overall assessment of the tournament’s spirit was bleak. “I don’t know how to explain it, but there is no typical AFCON vibe.”
