Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has raised concerns about the overall atmosphere surrounding the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, insisting the tournament lacks the distinctive energy he has experienced at previous editions.
The Belgian, who is taking part in his third AFCON, said the competition has not generated the same sense of excitement among the local population as it did in Gabon in 2017, where he lifted the trophy with Cameroon, and more recently in Ivory Coast with South Africa where they finished third.
According to Broos, the absence of visible fan engagement has been noticeable since the start of the tournament.
“I don’t feel the same vibe compared to what I felt in the Gabon or the Ivory Coast,” he said. “I don’t know how to explain it but in the Ivory Coast and in Gabon, you felt you were in a tournament.”
Broos pointed to the lack of public presence around team movements and matchdays as evidence of a subdued environment.
“When we went with the bus to train, people were waving and showing off flags, here there is nothing,” he added. “I don’t know, but there is no vibe, there is no typical Afcon vibe.”
The South Africa coach also expressed disappointment with crowd attendance, despite acknowledging slight improvements in recent matches.
“If they don’t let the people in free at the stadium, nobody is coming to watch the games,” Broos said, citing low turnouts for matches involving South Africa against Zimbabwe and Angola.
Concerns about organisation extended beyond attendance. Broos described what he termed “chaos” surrounding his family’s attempt to attend South Africa’s match against Egypt, claiming security procedures were inconsistent.
“People with tickets couldn’t enter the stadium because there were crowds of people who didn’t have tickets and they were allowed to come in,” he said.
Despite his criticism, Broos was keen to acknowledge areas where organisers have delivered.
“You can see the hotel is fantastic here in Marrakesh,” he said. “The pitches are good and there are no complaints from our side.”
