Broos fumes over setback in Bafana preparations for Zambia friendly

Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has lamented over a disruption to his team’s preparations for their upcoming friendly match against Zambia.

Broos’ team hit camp on Monday to begin their training for Saturday’s match but they were not at their usual base and Broos gave an account of what led to the change of venue while slamming the confusion.

Bafana Bafana normally camp at Southern Sun Hotel at the OR Tambo airport but they are now at NH Hotel in Sandton after their preferred facility was reportedly overbooked to the disappointment of the 73-year-old tactician.

Broos disappointed by late change of plans

“The reason why we are here today is because Saturday morning we got a message, from the hotel where we usually go, that the booking was cancelled. Very nice news, two days before the camp,” Broos told the media.

“So, there was an overbooking and blah blah blah so Saturday morning it was up to us to find another hotel. Not only that, first of all we tried to find something in the region where we usually are not too far from Dobsonville but we couldn’t find a hotel.

“I think it is normal that two days before you come with 36 people that every hotel is available so we had to come this side and I was very happy that we could come here.”

What is giving Bafana coach confidence?

Hugo Broos on the hiccup for the start of Bafana Bafana camp ahead of facing Zambia this weekend. 🇿🇦⚽️@BafanaBafana | @10bet_ZA pic.twitter.com/8KCJOdWMPy
— Lorenz Köhler (@Lorenz_KO) November 10, 2025

The spillover from that change in venue is that Bafana Bafana had to look for a new training facility and are now at Ellis Park which the coach believes has everything they need for proper preparations.

“But that meant we also had to look for other training accommodation, so I want to thank the people of Ellis Park for the availability of the stadium,” added Broos.

“So, we train in the next days until Thursday at Ellis Park. I know that the pitch is very good there, so I’m very happy but it was a little bit annoying and moment of being nervous when you have got, on Saturday morning, a message that the booking has been cancelled. But okay, all good and we are here now and in preparation for the friendly game on Saturday.”

South Africa will take on Zambia at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha on Saturday, November 15.