‘It’s rubbish’, Hugo Broos slams AFCON qualification format
Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has slammed the CAF AFCON qualification format as “rubbish”.
The Belgian mentor was speaking in a press conference ahead of their first-leg AFCON qualifier clash against Liberia on Friday, 24 March 2023.
Bafana were drawn in Group K of the AFCON qualifiers which is a three-nation group.
This comes after the world football governing body FIFA banned Zimbabwe from participating in international competitions due to government interference.
Zimbabwe were supposed to be the fourth team in the group. Unfortunately, Zimbabwe Football Association failed to resolve its issues before the commencement of the qualifications.
The group also includes Morocco, who have already qualified after winning their two opening matches.
HUGO BROOS SLAMS AFCON QUALIFICATION FORMAT
“The fact that from the beginning there were only three teams is rubbish,” Broos told the media.
“It is not a normal qualification. You see what happened, Morocco qualified after playing just two games. And they can play their out game in Morocco. This is all possible in Africa.
“It is unbelievable. It is okay when Liberia doesn’t have a stadium, they have to conform with FIFA rules then you play in another country because Morocco is with you in the group. Here CAF says okay no problem.
“So, they have already qualified after two games this is not normal. I knew from the beginning that maybe those two games against Liberia should be decisive to determine if we are qualifying or not.”
The 70-year-old mentor continued: “We have the opportunity to do it in two games, why shouldn’t we do it? And I know is easier said than done. But I believe in this team.
“I see the qualities I did see about a year ago. So we are a better team now. But we have to play the game.
“If they have the level that we can reach then we will qualify, I’m sure of it. However, it will depend on our performance tomorrow and certainly next week in Liberia.”
Currently, South Africa are placed second in Group K without a point after one game.
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