Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie has publicly
reprimanded Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos and issued an apology to
Morocco over comments the Belgian made about a lack of atmosphere during
the Africa Cup of Nations.
Speaking at O.R. Tambo International Airport upon the team’s return
following their Round of 16 exit, McKenzie expressed strong disapproval of
Broos’s critique of the tournament’s “vibe” in the host nation.
“I was very annoyed with the coach of Bafana Bafana… I was highly
annoyed,” McKenzie stated. “You don’t go into a person’s country and
insult them in their own country. Nobody should do that. It is not
collegial. It is wrong.”
The Minister challenged the basis of Broos’s remarks, suggesting the
coach’s view was limited. “He’s in the hotel. How does he see vibes
outside? We were on the streets. We saw the vibes,” McKenzie explained.
He then extended a formal apology to the host nation. “So it was very
wrong, and I want to apologise to the Moroccans on behalf of his
utterances. You don’t insult people in front of the whole world that has
welcomed us with such open arms.”
McKenzie concluded by heaping praise on Morocco’s organization of the
tournament, setting a high standard for future hosts. “The Moroccans have
done a sterling job, and it is the best African Cup of Nations I have ever
seen,” he said.
