South Africa's head coach, Hugo Broos, has launched a stinging critique of the atmosphere at the ongoing 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, stating the tournament lacks its characteristic energy and vibe. The experienced Belgian manager, a former winner with Cameroon, expressed his disappointment, contrasting the current event with past editions.
Broos Laments Missing Tournament Atmosphere
Speaking in Marrakech on Sunday, ahead of his team's final Group B match against Zimbabwe on Monday, Broos did not hold back. "In the Ivory Coast and in Gabon, every second of the tournament you felt that you were in a tournament," he said. He recalled fans waving and celebrating team buses, a sight he claims is absent in Morocco. "Here you see nothing. So, I don't know, but yeah, there is no vibe, there is no typical AFCON vibe. I don't feel it here," Broos stated bluntly.
Broos brings a wealth of experience to his assessment, having led Cameroon to the AFCON title in Gabon in 2017 and guiding South Africa to a third-place finish in Ivory Coast in 2023. His comments highlight a significant concern for tournament organisers, who have faced challenges in filling the stadiums despite high-profile matches.
Ticket Troubles and Empty Seats Plague Tournament
The issue of poor attendance is multifaceted. Organisers have blamed persistent heavy rainfall, which has occurred every day of the tournament except on Christmas Day. Furthermore, even sold-out matches featuring the host nation, Morocco, have shown visible empty seats. This has been attributed to ticket touts who snapped up large quantities, later failing to resell them, which frustrated genuine fans trying to access venues like the near 70,000-capacity Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.
In a bid to improve the visible attendance, security at some stadiums has adopted a controversial tactic: allowing fans in for free after kickoff. This policy, however, backfired during South Africa's game against Egypt in Agadir. "It was chaos before the game … they blocked everyone, even people with tickets. They couldn't enter the stadium because there was a crowd of people who didn't have a ticket and who were allowed to come in," Broos explained, criticising the arrangements.
Sporting Context and Broader Implications
On the pitch, South Africa's campaign has been mixed. The Bafana Bafana began with a 2-1 win over Angola in Marrakech but then suffered a 1-0 loss to Egypt in Agadir. Egypt leads Group B with six points and has qualified for the last 16, while South Africa sits second with three points. Angola and Zimbabwe have one point each. South Africa's final group game against Zimbabwe on Monday will be crucial for their knockout stage hopes.
Despite praising the quality of the nine newly built or renovated stadiums, Broos concluded that the overall atmosphere remains "cool." He ominously predicted empty stands for his team's upcoming match, stating, "If they don't let the people free in the stadium, there is nobody. Nobody is coming to watch the game South Africa-Zimbabwe."
These criticisms arrive at a sensitive time for Morocco, which is also a co-host for the prestigious 2030 FIFA World Cup. The feedback from a figure of Broos's stature underscores the importance of fan experience and logistical smoothness alongside infrastructure, lessons that will be closely watched as the country prepares for the global event.
