Outspoken Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos says that he enjoys the full support of the South African Football Association (SAFA).
The Belgian said this in a week where he questioned South African clubs’ commitment to the national cause.
“From SAFA, I have the full support, certainly. There’s no problem, not at all,” he said ahead of Bafana Bafana’s departure for Ethiopia where they will play a 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier at the Bahir Dar International Stadium on Saturday.
“I was clear in that there are some clubs who didn’t follow the rules. I think when a coach of Bafana Bafana wants to see a match, arrive at a stadium and they don’t allow you to enter, this is something I don’t understand. The club organises a vaccination during camp of the national team and the risk that can happen with the vaccination.”
Broos was miffed after his assistant, which he has not named, was refused entry into Orlando Stadium when Orlando Pirates hosted Mamelodi Sundowns last month.
The former Indomitable Lions coach also didn’t take too kindly to Sundowns’ decision to organise their striker Thabiso Kutumela’s vaccination this week. Broos was afraid that Kutumela might not be ready to play because of the vaccination.
“Kutumela is still here. I said very clearly because he was vaccinated the risk was there that he should have symptoms after that. You can have symptoms like fever, cough, flu and therefore I was a little bit anxious,” Broos said.
“Kutumela stays with us, the risk is gone. There was no one moment where I thought I could withdraw Kutumela. He did all the trainings and he goes with us to Ethiopia.”
Meanwhile, the 69-year-old Broos is satisfied with how Bafana Bafana worked out on Wednesday.
“The guys had two trainings. The trainings were good. I think we are ready for Saturday. When you see how they are training, you know they are ready,” he said.
