Bafana's Broos must demand better logistics as Bafana prepare for AFCON

COMMENT

The time has come for Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos to demand an immediate improvement in the future logistical arrangements for the national team.

The recent upheaval, particularly regarding accommodation, underscores the pressing need for more efficient planning as the squad gears up for the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.

Earlier this week, Broos shared unsettling news that plagued the team’s preparations. Just days before their important AFCON warm-up friendly match against Zambia, scheduled for Saturday at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha, Broos faced an unexpected disruption.

The team learnt their chosen hotel was overbooked, leaving them in a whirlwind scramble for alternative lodging.

In a media conference that displayed his palpable frustration, Broos recounted the chaotic sequence of events. His tone, laced with sarcasm, underlined the urgency of the situation.

The sudden cancellation not only sent the team into a scramble for accommodation but also hampered their access to a planned training venue in Dobsonville. Instead, the alternative at Ellis Park, situated some 40km down the N12, added to the logistical burden at a critical time.

With AFCON set to commence in just over a month on December 21, these logistical setbacks are becoming increasingly troublesome. The upcoming continental challenge requires disciplined coordination, and the recent turmoil suggests that the squad's wheels of organisation are spinning out of control.

Broos has built a reputation for his straightforward approach, and he must not shy away from demanding better logistics management from his superiors at Safa.

The cohesive functioning of logistics — ranging from accommodation to training facilities — is integral to the performance on the pitch. As players prepare to represent the nation on the international stage, Safa must ensure that these elements are orchestrated well in advance.

As the pressure mounts on the management team to address these issues swiftly, Broos finds himself navigating the heavy turbulence that comes with being at the helm of the national team.

His calls for improved organisation resonate more strongly than ever as Bafana Bafana seeks to position itself for success at AFCON.

Typically, the responsibility for logistics falls to the team manager, Vincent Tseka. However, after reliability issues, including a near-disaster concerning the 2026 World Cup qualification, his competence has been called into question.

Despite tough talk from Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie, who demanded accountability for Tseka’s failings, his department did not take action. Thus, the football fraternity was left in a quagmire, regarding Tseka as a ‘dead loss’, fearing that his involvement could hinder the team during major tournaments.

As the countdown to AFCON continues, Bafana Bafana stands at a critical junction. The time has come for Broos to give his superiors the proverbial kick up the backside and demand that such logistical nightmares never recur.

With every minute counting, the need for a synchronised effort from the top down becomes increasingly apparent, and safeguarding the team’s efforts to succeed will require swift, decisive action.