Broos angered: Bafana Bafana training plans disrupted in Côte d’Ivoire

Bafana Bafana mentor Hugo Broos has expressed his disappointment upon discovering that his troops will not be permitted to train at Stade Félix Houphouët Boigny in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire ahead of their encounter with Benin.

Broos’ charges are set to face Benin on Tuesday, 25 March, for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers at 18:00 [SA time]. Bafana arrived safely in Abidjan on Monday evening.

Benin will welcome the South African team away from home in Côte d’Ivoire because they lack a FIFA-approved stadium.

Addressing the media during a press conference on Monday afternoon, Broos revealed the CAF 2023 AFCON bronze medalists won’t be able to train at Stade Félix Houphouët Boigny as Côte d’Ivoire is hosting Gambia at the same venue this evening in a World Cup qualifier tie.

Therefore, Bafana cannot have access to the match venue a day before their game against Benin.

WHAT HUGO BROOS SAID ABOUT THE STADIUM SITUATION

Broos feels disheartened as the visiting team has the right to a training session at the venue where they will be playing a day before the match.

“First of all, I have to tell you that I’m really not satisfied with the decision that we can’t have a pre-match training in the stadium where the game takes place,” said Broos.

“I think this is a FIFA rule, that every team has the right to have a preliminary training before the game of 60 minutes in the stadium where you play, where the match takes place.

“I don’t understand it because there is another game. But this is bad when people who make the rules don’t follow the rules. Will that have an influence on the game? I don’t know. But I know if tomorrow [Tuesday] after the game I’m not at the press conference, there will be a sanction.

“We have to follow the rules. Where are the rules now? And you will tell me, yes, that’s for both teams. I don’t think so. I think Berlin has already trained in that stadium because they were here before us.”

Broos continued: “So, it’s all nice to say, ‘follow the rules, follow this’. We have to follow everything. But we have the right to train today in the stadium where the match takes place, and we can’t. And this is not honest, and this is not correct.”

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