‘I am very happy’ – Why Broos is celebrating Sundowns and Chiefs’ Carling Knockout exit

Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has expressed his delight that both Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs are out of Carling Knockout.

Sundowns were eliminated by Marumo Gallants while Chiefs went out after losing to Stellenbosch FC, both teams going out on post-match penalties in the Round if 16, with Orlando Pirates the only ‘Big Three’ team still left in the competition.

Broos is happy that the two teams were eliminated because their absence will allow him to have more players in camp early for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

The Bafana Bafana coach is looking to start early preparations for AFCON 2025 with December 8 the date when players are supposed to report to camp but the Carling Knockout final is set for December 13.

Hugo Broos explains Bafana’s AFCON 2025 plans

Talks to have the game played earlier have not yielded fruit and it means Broos will have to do without players from the two teams that will make it to the final, and it could be a setback in his preparations if Pirates go all the way, but he is relieved that at least Sundowns, who provide the bulk of national team players, and Chiefs are out.

“We start [AFCON preparations] on the 8th (of December) with the preparation. We will go to Tuks in Pretoria (for camp). We stay there until the 17th because I think we have to be there five days before our first game in Morocco. We will play a friendly game (before the team leaves). We are looking for who we will play,” Broos said as quoted by Soccer Laduma.

“I will announce the players some days before because I still have to go to the draw of the World Cup, which is on the 5th (of December). Probably, but not sure, we will play Zambia on the 14th of next month (November), and then after that, I will go to Belgium for two weeks and see my family. From Belgium, I fly to Washington for the draw, and then I will be back on the 7th of December, and on the 8th, we start camp.

Why is Bafana coach delighted with Downs & Chiefs exit?

“Again, I hoped to start a little bit earlier. For the second time, the PSL didn't want to collaborate because there is the final of the Carling Cup. Maybe they don't like to hear it, but I am very happy that Chiefs and Sundowns are already out.”

AFCON 2025 will take place between December 21, 2025 and January 18, 2026 with Bafana Bafana in Group B alongside Egypt, Angola and Zimbabwe and will begin their campaign on December 22 against the Palancas Negras.

South Africa are among teams being looked out to go further in the competition after their impressive run to third place in the 2023 edition.