South Africa Coach Broos: "We Don't Feel the Africa Cup of Nations Atmosphere in Morocco, and Organization Isn't Good"

Hugo Broos, head coach of the South Africa national team, offered a contrasting view to many, asserting that the organization of the Africa Cup of Nations, hosted by the Kingdom of Morocco, was not good. His comments came after the match between Egypt and Bafana Bafana at the Grand Stade d'Agadir.

The Belgian coach stated in media remarks: "My family was present at the match (against Egypt). It was utter chaos before the game started. The police did not allow anyone to enter the stadium; they prevented everyone, even people with tickets, from entering because there was a crowd of people who did not have tickets."

He added: "My wife told me she was scared because my grandchildren were also present. That's why I say the organization isn't good. I didn't even feel the same atmosphere I experienced in Gabon or Ivory Coast. I don't know how to explain what I mean, but in Ivory Coast, every second you feel like you're in the competition's atmosphere. When we go on the bus to training, you see people greeting you and carrying flags. Here (in Morocco), you don't see anything. I didn't feel the Africa Cup of Nations atmosphere here."

Broos continued: "It's true that the stadiums are there, and everything you want is available, but if they don't allow people to enter the stadium for free, you won't see anyone in the stands, for example, to watch a match like South Africa against Zimbabwe. In the Ivory Coast edition, when they faced Tunisia and Namibia, the stadiums were packed."

It is worth noting that the match between South Africa and Egypt was attended by over 40,000 spectators.