Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has revealed an unexpected logistical hiccup as the national team gathered in Johannesburg for their friendly match against Zambia.
In a press conference on Monday, the Belgian mentor revealed a last-minute hotel cancellation had thrown the team’s initial plans into disarray, forcing a hurried scramble for new accommodation and training facilities just two days before the camp’s start.
South Africa hosts 2012 AFCON champions Zambia at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Gqeberha on Saturday. The match is part of the team’s preparations for next month’s AFCON finals set for Morocco.
BAFANA BAFANA’S PRE-CAMP HOTEL HICCUP
“The reason we are here today [at this hotel] is that on Saturday morning, we got a message from the hotel where we usually go that the booking was cancelled. Yes. Very nice news. Two days before the camp,” Broos said. He added that the cancellation was due to an overbooking.
The sudden change meant the technical team had to abandon their initial plans near the usual training grounds in Dobsonville Stadium in Soweto. Broos said they had secured Ellis Park, which they will use until they travel to Gqeberha later in the week.
“I want to thank the people of Ellis Park for the availability of the stadium. So, we train in the next days till Thursday, we train in Ellis Park. I know that the pitch is very good there, so I’m very happy. But yes, it was a little bit annoying and a moment of being nervous.”
Despite the pre-camp drama, Broos has issued a clear warning to his players ahead of the Chipolopolo clash.
“We are here now in preparation for the game on Saturday, a friendly game. But for me, friendly games don’t exist. Every game, we have to be focused and concentrated and try to win that game. And it will not be different for this game. I want to win on Saturday.”
The AFCON-winning coach revealed this commitment to victory was why he reversed an initial plan to rest Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates players due to their demanding club schedules. He stressed the importance of winning, saying it would improve their ranking on the continent.
“Why I want to win is because it’s important for our ranking. We want to stay certainly in the first 10 and even go to nine again. And I think the defeat of Lesotho makes us go down to nine or 10 now.”
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