Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has voiced his frustration after his team was denied the opportunity to train at the match-day venue ahead of their crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Benin in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.
As per FIFA regulations, teams are entitled to a pre-match training session at the stadium where they will compete. However, due to Côte d’Ivoire’s World Cup qualifier against Gambia at the Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny on Monday night, both South Africa and Benin were unable to train there.
Broos, speaking via a South African Football Association (SAFA) press release, criticized the decision, questioning the inconsistency in enforcing FIFA rules. “I have to tell you I’m not satisfied with the decision that we can’t have a pre-match training in the stadium where the game takes place,” Broos said.
“This is a FIFA rule that every team has the right to have a preliminary training of 60 minutes in the stadium where they play [on the day] before the game. “I understand the situation because another game is being played there, but it’s frustrating when the people who make the rules don’t follow them.”
The Bafana Bafana boss also suggested that their opponents, Benin, might have had an advantage.
“People will say, ‘Yes, it applies to both teams,’ but I don’t think so. I believe Benin has already trained in that stadium because they arrived before us,” he stated.
Despite the setback, Bafana Bafana remains focused on securing a win to maintain their top spot in Group C. They currently lead the group with 10 points, while second-placed Benin sits on eight points. Meanwhile, Nigeria, in fourth place with six points, remains within striking distance.
Broos emphasized the importance of fairness in international competitions, warning that while he and his team are expected to adhere to all FIFA regulations, the same standard should apply to all teams.
“If tomorrow [Tuesday] after the game I’m not at the press conference, there will be a sanction. So we have to follow the rules. But where are the rules now? This is not honest and this is not correct,” he concluded.
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