FILE PHOTO: Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has named his final 23-man squad for two friendlies next month. PICTURE: FarPost
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0 JOHANNESBURG: The fan turnout for the two matches did not impress the outspoken Belgian.
Hugo Broos was left disappointed with a lack of public support for the national team. Bafana Bafana played two international friendly matches against Namibia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) during the FIFA break.
Both matches were played at the Orlando Stadium, Soweto. South Africa played to a goalless draw against Namibia 0-0 and won the second one against DR Congo by a solitary goal. The fan turnout for the two matches did not impress the outspoken Belgian, who lamented the issue of playing in empty stadiums at home.
“It’s a little bit disappointing today to see that there were more fans for DR Congo than us Bafana in our home game. That’s actually very disappointing. You can see the crowd gave them a lift and we also needed that,” Broos said.
In the past, the coach said the team perhaps needed to win more games and put up more good performances in order to garner public support. The good run saw the national team qualify for the 2023 African Cup of Nations AFCON, which will be played in the Ivory Coast in 2024.
However, the national team still cannot draw a decent crowd with a nine-game unbeaten run, six wins and three draws to be precise.
Broos’ irresponsible remarks could be one of the reasons for poor attendance. Asked about why he did not select Kaizer Chiefs players in his squad to play the two friendlies, for example, the coach said they do not deserve to be part of the national team.
This might have alienated Kaizer Chiefs supporters. Kaizer Chiefs has the largest fan following in the country. It plays in nearly every match in a packed stadium.
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