In the aftermath of Bafana Bafana’s shock defeat to Rwanda, Coach Hugo Broos has issued a call for stricter pitch standards enforcement from CAF and FIFA.
The outspoken Hugo Broos lashed out at the deplorable state of the pitch at Huye Stadium following Bafana 2-0 shock defeat to Rwanda in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
The loss brought an end to Bafana’s impressive 12-match unbeaten streak with Innocent Nshuti and Gilbert Mugisha scoring from SA’s defensive errors in a waterlogged and horrendous synthetic pitch in Butare.
Before the game, Broos had described the pitch as “very very bad” and in his post-match interview, he sent a message to CAF and FIFA, calling for stricter pitch standards.
BROOS SENDS MESSAGE TO CAF AND FIFA ON PITCH CONDITION IN RWANDA
“When you see the first 20 minutes. It’s unbelievable that a qualifier of a World Cup is played on such a pitch,” said Broos. “It’s impossible. But okay.”
“It is what it is and I think FIFA has to be stricter on the rules where you going to play, we are talking about professional football, we’re talking about qualifiers of the biggest tournament [in the world], then you play on such a pitch.”
OTHER SOCCER NEWS:Gavin Hunt slams state of SA football pitches
The issue of traveling, which was raised last week at the same venue by Nigeria head coach Jose Peseiro and Alex Iwobi, was once again brought up by Broos.
“It’s not normal to arrive in a country and then travel three hours with a bus before you’re at the final destination,” added the Bafana coach. “I will not say it’s the reason we lost the game, not at all but I think those things have to change, we’re in 2023. “We’re talking about professional football and this pitch is not professional, and you don’t let an opponent travel three hours from an airport for their destination, this is only my remark, nothing to do with the defeat (against Rwanda).”