Egyptian icon Mohamed Aboutrika claps back after coach Hugo Broos’ AFCON barbs
Egyptian football legend Mohamed Aboutrika has ignited a fiery debate by criticising Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos for his remarks about AFCON.
Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has again directed his ire at tournament organisers after being less than impressed with his squad's facilities ahead of their Last 16 showdown with Cameroon on Sunday.
Image: Khaled Desouki/AFP
In a fierce critique that has echoed through the African footballing community, Egyptian legend Mohamed Aboutrika has thrown down the gauntlet to Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos.
Aboutrika has publicly challenged the South African mentor following Broos’ unsatisfactory comments concerning the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025, hosted in Morocco.
Broos’s concerns came to light as South Africa prepared for their last 16 clash with Cameroon on Sunday.
Expressing dissatisfaction with the facilities provided and the organisational logistics since their arrival in Rabat from Marrakech, he lamented the lack of ambience at the tournament, a week after initially disparaging the lack of “vibe” surrounding the AFCON events.
Considering Broos’s complaints about South Africa’s training arrangements in the nearby town of Salé, Aboutrika responded by labelling the coach’s remarks as “unnecessary” and indicative of a troubling arrogance.
Aboutrika questioned how a coach could voice such dissent amidst widespread praise for the event’s organisation.
“Honestly, I want Hugo Broos to be knocked out. The arrogance is obvious, and his comments are very irritating,” Aboutrika stated emphatically. He underscored that while most participants have applauded the stadiums and overall management of the tournament, Broos’ grievances seemed markedly out of place.
“He complains about taking 45 minutes from the hotel to the training ground, even though you finished second in your group and threw away top spot. No one else complained like this. It clearly shows arrogance,” he continued.
Aboutrika’s criticism went beyond Broos. He expressed serious concerns about the recent decision by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to extend the AFCON cycle from 2 to 4 years.
This shift, Aboutrika contends, signifies a disconcerting prioritisation of European interests over African values, casting doubt on the integrity of a tournament long hailed as a source of continental pride.
A former stalwart of Egyptian football, Aboutrika dazzled with his exceptional skill during his own AFCON campaigns in 2006 and 2008. Renowned for his decisive goals and astute playmaking abilities, he amassed 38 goals in 100 caps.
Aboutrika’s unwavering stance against Broos’ assertions articulates a narrative centred around unity and support among players and nations striving for success on the continental stage.