Broos says there was a lack of enthusiasm for the 35th Africa Cup, speaking in Marrakech ahead of Monday’s final group game
Never one to mince his words, Broos said he is struggling to feel the familiar AFCON vibe from the host nation, despite this being his third appearance at the continental showpiece.
“I don’t feel the same vibe compared to what I felt in the Gabon or the Ivory Coast,” Broos said.
“I don’t know how to explain it but in the Ivory Coast and in Gabon, you felt you were in a tournament. When we went with the bus to train, people were waving and showing off flags, here there is nothing.
“I don’t know, but there is no vibe, there is no typical Afcon vibe.”
The Belgian tactician also lamented the low turnout at matches, particularly during Bafana Bafana’s fixtures in the group stage, suggesting ticketing policies may be discouraging fans from attending.
“I am not feeling it here, we play the game and we get everything we want. If they don’t let the people in free at the stadium, nobody is coming to watch the games,” he said.
“Nobody came to watch the game between South Africa and Zimbabwe, nobody came to watch our game against Angola.
In Ivory Coast, the first game was against Mali, but Tunisia and Namibia there were crowds there in the stands.
“Local people were involved in the tournament and I don’t feel that here.”
Broos also criticised the organisation surrounding stadium access, recounting a distressing experience involving members of his family.
“My family was at our game against Egypt and it was chaos before the match started. The police did not allow some of the people to go into the stadium, even though they had tickets,” he said.
“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. My wife said she was afraid. The organisation on that one is not good.”
Despite his frustrations, Broos acknowledged the positives, praising the team’s accommodation and training facilities in Morocco.
“We can’t not be happy with what we have, you can see the hotel is fantastic here in Marrakesh. The one in Agadir was also good even though I feel more comfortable here,” he said.
“Here in Marrakesh we are good, the pitches are good and there are no complaints from our side.”
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