Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie has publicly criticised Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos over remarks suggesting there was no Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) atmosphere in Morocco, saying the comments were inappropriate and unfair to the host nation.
South Africa’s AFCON campaign came to an end in the round of 16 after a 2–1 defeat to five-time champions Cameroon. Following the exit, Broos made comments about the tournament environment, which drew a strong response from the minister. McKenzie said such remarks undermine the efforts of the host country and do not reflect the spirit of international sport.
“That night with the coach of Bafana Bafana, you don’t go into a person’s country and insult them in their own country. Nobody should do that. It is wrong. And I want to apologize to the Moroccans on behalf of his utterances. You don’t insult people in front of the whole world that has welcomed us with such open arms,” said McKenzie.
He went on to praise Morocco for what he described as excellent hosting, noting the country’s infrastructure, organisation, and hospitality throughout the tournament.
Meanwhile, Broos has acknowledged his disappointment with Bafana Bafana’s early exit. Speaking at OR Tambo International Airport upon the team’s return, he said expectations were high following South Africa’s bronze-medal finish at the previous AFCON but conceded that the competition was significantly tougher this time around.
“It was a good effort for us to play the games in the previous AFCON, and after the first round, teams like Egypt, Cameroon, and Morocco were out. Now all those big countries are in the quarterfinals. We are already home now, and this is a big disappointment,” said Broos.
The coach confirmed that the team’s focus now shifts to preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, as Bafana Bafana look to regroup and rebuild after their AFCON campaign.
VOC News
Photo: X/@BafanaBafana
