CAF hits back at Broos over AFCON complaints

The tension ahead of Sunday’s high-stakes AFCON Last 16 clash between Bafana Bafana and Cameroon has spilled off the pitch, as the Confederation of African Football (CAF) formally addressed Hugo Broos’s complaints regarding Bafana Bafana’s training logistics in Rabat.

The Belgian tactician had previously voiced sharp frustration over the 45-minute commute from the team’s hotel to their designated training site, citing heavy traffic as a major disruption to their knockout stage preparations. Broos also expressed disbelief that the training ground is situated within the camp of Morocco—South Africa’s potential quarter-final opponent—raising concerns about surveillance and “unnecessary inconvenience.”

CAF: “The Onus Was on the Team”

In a firm rebuttal, CAF Head of Communications Luxolo September clarified that these arrangements were not a last-minute imposition. According to September, the base camp details were provided to all participating nations months ago.

Base camp information was released approximately five months before the tournament. Logistics for the Round of 16 were shared with teams two weeks ago for review.

The Silence: September noted that CAF is yet to receive any formal feedback or objections from the South African Football Association (SAFA) regarding these specific arrangements.

“The onus was on each team or its team manager to assess and provide feedback,” September stated, suggesting that the time for AFCON logistical complaints has long since passed.

The Verdict: Tactical Moaning or Legitimate Grievance By Broos At 2025 AFCON?

Broos is no stranger to psychological warfare. By publicly slamming the 90-minute daily round trip, he achieves two things: he builds a “siege mentality” within his squad and provides a ready-made narrative should Bafana struggle with fatigue.

While the 45-minute commute is undoubtedly a hassle, CAF’s paper trail makes Broos’s “disbelief” look a bit performative. If the logistics were known five months ago, why is this becoming an issue 48 hours before a sudden-death match?

Broos is an AFCON veteran; he knows that African tournaments are often won by the teams that best navigate off-field chaos. By focusing so heavily on the traffic in Rabat, he risks distracting his players from the real threat: a young, physical Cameroon side that doesn’t seem to care where South Africa trains. Bafana must ensure that “logistical frustration” doesn’t become a self-fulfilling prophecy for an early exit.