Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos is winning over the hearts of South Africans with his heart-on-the-sleeve approach to dealing with bureaucracy at the South African Football Association (SAFA).
What Hugo Broos said about SAFA
The Belgian coach sent shockwaves across the football world when, during a media briefing, he criticised a number of clubs and the manner in which SAFA implements FIFA rules.
Bafana Bafana have two crucial World Cup Qualifiers against Ethiopia, one taking place away on Saturday 9 October 2021, and the returning fixture scheduled for Tuesday 12 October 2021 at the FNB Stadium.
However, in the 11th hour, Mamelodi Sundowns recalled attacking forward Thabiso Kutumela after he received a vaccine dose at a time when he should have been at the Bafana camp, preparing for Ethiopia.
Broos stressed that while he is not against vaccination, this needed to “be done before time.”
“The vaccination was organised during a camp. The FIFA rules say that after the last game before international week, the players must be released and no other activity is possible,” the head coach exclaimed.
Broos headache was made worse by Orlando Pirates’ midfielder Goodman Mosele’s refusal to comply with a national team call-up. According to Broos, the player basically ignored the request and did not have the courtesy to provide a reason for his absence from camp training.
“I really don’t know. Someone doesn’t come to a national team camp and doesn’t leave a message. I don’t know,” he said.
Fans champion Broos’ no-nonsense attitude
Under Broos, Bafana Bafana have performed well. While fans will be wary about celebrating a new era for South Africa’s national football team, Broos has won over hearts of many with his frankness. Something is amiss at SAFA and the head coach has been spilling the beans in tidbits, much to the appeasement of fans. Here are some of the reactions we picked out:
Sometimes its just deeper than rap…
— 2 UP FRONT (@2UpFrontPod) October 6, 2021
The outspoken Hugo Broos; controversial, but not shy about the troubles he has experienced since taking the Bafana hot-seat. Are we our own worst enemy? pic.twitter.com/dR0E80Dkqe
Either South African football is not run professionally as it is deemed to be, or there is an intention to subbotage Hugo Broos, or both. pic.twitter.com/nYa2aaduXI
— Bukhul'becala (@Bukhulbecala) October 6, 2021
Hugo Broos is clear! The man is not here to make friends. pic.twitter.com/vQPRnz6hi8
— Banele Pikwa (@BanzaRP) October 6, 2021
Interesting times in SA, very same issues that have been found by Hugo Broos, are the same issues that where raised by Shakes Mashaba on many occasions and he was fired. While Hugo Broos is being heralded for raising these issues, like Europe discovered Zambezi River.
— African Soccer Updates (@Africansoccerup) October 6, 2021