Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has welcomed CAF’s decision to stage the Africa Cup of Nations every four years instead of two, saying the move will help restore balance to an increasingly congested football calendar.
Speaking on Christmas Day ahead of South Africa’s crucial Group B clash with Egypt in Agadir, Broos said the change which will take effect from 2028 will allow African teams to properly prepare for major tournaments without constant overlap.
“I think it’s a good thing that from 2028 the Africa Cup of Nations will be after four years,” Broos said.
He pointed out that top African nations are currently juggling club football, continental competition and World Cup qualifiers almost simultaneously.
“You can see what is happening now, we just had the Fifa Club World Cup in June, now there is Afcon and there is the World Cup in six months. African teams who have qualified for the World Cup are a bit different — someone had to remind us we have Afcon now in December because we were occupied with the World Cup qualifiers.
“It is a good thing because every team that has qualified for Afcon can really focus on the tournament. Being at the World Cup is the highest and I think it is a good thing that things are a bit in order now.
“You will have the World Cup and two years later you have Afcon and then it continues like that. It is better like this, not only for African teams but for every team in Europe.”
Broos also believes the new format could help African nations go deeper at future World Cups, following Morocco’s historic semifinal run in 2022.
“Morocco did a good job at the previous World Cup by reaching the semifinal stage but maybe that can help African countries go further at the World Cup. African teams are quick [bowing] out of the tournament and maybe this can help now.”
Turning to South Africa’s clash with Egypt, Broos stressed the importance of securing three points against the seven-time champions, led by Mohamed Salah. A win would put Bafana on the brink of the last 16 and strengthen their chances of topping the group.
“I am excited to be here and play this match against Egypt. We did a good job in our last game against Angola and we must try not to lose this game against Egypt.”
“It was important to win our first game and avoid playing this match against Egypt with a knife at our throat. This doesn’t mean we don’t want to win against Egypt, because if we win against Egypt, we will put ourselves in a good position to qualify for the next stage.”
“This is an important game for both of us but we have the confidence to play against a good team. If we win the game against Egypt, we will play our last match against Zimbabwe without pressure.”
South Africa meet Egypt on Friday at Agadir Stadium, with group supremacy and a major psychological boost on the line.
