Hugo Broos has revealed what Egypt captain Mo Salah told him about the penalty that decided Bafana Bafana’s 2025 AFCON clash against the Pharaohs on Friday night at the Grand Stade D’Agadir.
Egypt were awarded a controversial penalty right at the end of the first half. This was after Mamelodi Sundowns star Khuliso Mudau was adjudged to have fouled Salah with his outstretched hand as they tussled for possession in the box.
The Belgian coach, while launching a scathing attack on the officiating, claimed that even the Liverpool star was ‘surprised’ by the decision.
The result was enough to make Egypt the first nation to qualify for the knockout stages of the 2025 AFCON.
“Before the tournament, 45 minutes they explained the rules – 25-50 rules. It’s a penalty, then it’s not a penalty, then it’s a red card for hitting a player, then it’s not… In the end, there are too many rules that nobody knows what to do anymore,” Broos told journalists.
MO SALAH SURPRISED BY CONTROVERSIAL PENALTY
He went on to reveal his private conversation with Salah. “Look at the first penalty, even Mo Salah said to me after the game, ‘I was surprised it was a penalty’. It was ridiculous, really ridiculous.”
The Belgian was equally incensed by a penalty claim for his own side that was denied. He argued that the explanation provided by officials, the concept of a ‘supporting arm,’ contradicted the instructions given in team meetings.
“And then we take our penalty, in the meeting they said when the arm is extended from the body it’s a penalty, the arm was extended so it was a penalty. Then they say nonsense, it was a supporting arm, who invents this?”
Bafana take on Zimbabwe in the final Group B match in Marrakesh, which will determine whether they progress to the knockouts.
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