South Africa coach Hugo Broos has criticised FIFA after revealing that his side were prevented from travelling early to Los Angeles to begin preparations for their historic FIFA World Cup Round of 32 match against Canada.
The Belgian made the comments shortly after guiding Bafana Bafana into the knockout stage of the World Cup for the first time in the country’s history following a 1-0 victory over South Korea in their final Group A match.
South Africa’s reward is a last-32 meeting with co-hosts Canada on Sunday, but Broos believes his team’s preparations have been made more difficult after FIFA rejected a request to travel directly to the match venue immediately after securing qualification.
Instead, the squad must first travel to Pachuca before continuing on to Los Angeles.
The coach admitted the decision had left him frustrated as his players prepare for one of the biggest matches in South African football history.
“You know, once you are there you want more,” said Broos during his post-match press conference.
“So we want more, if we will achieve [it] that’s another thing. So we will start tomorrow [Thursday] by analyzing our opponent of next Sunday.
“It’s a little bit pity that we have to travel tomorrow [Thursday] first to Pachuca, and then the day after to Los Angeles.
“So we wanted to go [to LA] already tomorrow [Thursday], but FIFA didn’t allow it. So yeah, that’s a little, how can you say it, it’s a little bit annoying.
“I rather wanted to travel already tomorrow [Thursday] to the location where we are playing, but it’s not that.”
The comments came after an emotional evening for South Africa, whose World Cup campaign has undergone a dramatic transformation.
Bafana Bafana began the tournament with a disappointing defeat to eventual Group A winners Mexico, leaving their hopes of qualification in serious doubt.
However, Broos’ side responded with a draw against the Czech Republic before defeating South Korea to finish second in the group and reach the knockout rounds for the first time.
The achievement represents a significant milestone for South African football and another landmark moment for African football at the tournament.
With the celebrations now over, Broos has shifted his focus to ensuring his players recover physically ahead of facing Canada.
Given the travel schedule and the short turnaround between matches, the coach believes recovery will take precedence over intensive training sessions.
“So we will have to recuperate very good in the next days. Trainings are not so important. Recovery is the most important and then we will see on Sunday,” he added.
Broos also made it clear that qualification for the Round of 32 has not diminished his team’s ambition.
Having already exceeded many expectations by reaching the knockout stage, the South Africans now want to continue their remarkable run.
The Belgian expects the same determination that carried his side through the group stage to be evident against Canada.
“Again, you will see a team that will believe in themselves, a team that will fight for the 90 minutes and even more if we have to.
“And then we will see, let’s hope we can have a good result, if it’s not, it’s not. Again, I think what we did now already is a little bit better.”
South Africa’s clash with Canada offers Bafana Bafana the opportunity to extend what has already become one of the country’s most memorable World Cup campaigns.
While Broos remains unhappy with the logistical arrangements surrounding the team’s preparations, his immediate priority is ensuring his players arrive in Los Angeles fully recovered and ready to compete.
After making history by reaching the knockout stage for the first time, South Africa will now attempt to write another memorable chapter when they face the tournament co-hosts for a place in the Round of 16.
