BROOS BLASTS “RIDICULOUS” AFCON REFEREE CALLS

South Africa head coach Hugo Broos didn’t hold back after his Bafana Bafana side suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to Egypt in their Africa Cup of Nations Group B clash in Agadir.

Broos has made it clear that his players haven’t lost their fighting spirit despite what he called baffling officiating.

Broos was visibly furious in his post-match press conference, slamming the decisions that went against his team as “ridiculous” and even claiming that Egyptian star Mohamed Salah was surprised when the pivotal penalty was awarded.

According to the Belgian coach, Salah admitted to him after the match that he wasn’t expecting a spot-kick from the incident that ultimately decided the game, referring to a low-contact clash between Khuliso Mudau and Salah inside the box.

“That first penalty was ridiculous, even Mo said to me after the game, ‘I was surprised it was a penalty,’” Broos fumed, questioning the consistency of referee Pacifique Ndabihawenimana and his VAR team.

Broos argued that the pre-tournament briefing had been full of convoluted rules, leaving players and coaches alike unsure about what would actually be called on the pitch.

The frustration didn’t stop there. In stoppage time, Bafana had hoped for a spot-kick of their own after a shot hit the arm of an Egyptian defender, an incident which, Broos insisted, should’ve been ruled a penalty based on what had been explained before the tournament.

Instead, after a lengthy VAR review, the referee deemed it a “supporting arm,” a decision that left Broos incredulous.

Even with Egypt reduced to 10 men following a second yellow card for Mohamed Hany, Bafana couldn’t find an equaliser despite dominating possession and creating more chances over the course of the match.

But Broos isn’t dwelling on what might’ve been. With the defeat ending South Africa’s 27-match unbeaten run, he’s already turned his attention to Monday’s must-win showdown against Zimbabwe in Marrakesh.

Image credit: Vodacom Soccer