Mohamed Aboutrika: Egyptian Legend on Why ‘Arrogant’ Bafana Coach Deserves AFCON Elimination

While South Africa coach Hugo Broos is coming to terms with the pain of exiting the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, Egyptian legend Mohamed Aboutrika is among those reveling in his pain.

Broos saw his team crash out of the tournament in Morocco following a 2-1 loss to Cameroon in the Round of 16 in Rabat on Sunday, ending their dream of winning a second AFCON title, having come into the tournament with hopes of doing better than their third place at the 2023 edition.

However, Broos’ sentiments during his team’s stay in Morocco did not go down well with many in the North African country and the region as he first fired a dig at the hosts for “lacking an AFCON vibe” before claiming that his team had been deliberately punished ahead of the Round of 16 match.

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"I can’t believe that CAF allowed this. Our hotel is 45 minutes from the training ground, and it is inside the camp of our next opponent [should Bafana progress]," Broos said on Saturday, comments that have since been refuted by tournament organisers the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

Reacting to the comments, Aboutrika fired at Broos, calling him ‘arrogant’ while hoping that Cameroon knocks Bafana Bafana out of AFCON 2025.

“Honestly, I want Hugo Broos to be knocked out. The arrogance is obvious, and his comments are very irritating. Everyone is praising the stadiums and the organisation, yet he’s the only one criticising,” said the two-time AFCON winner as quoted by Africa Soccer.

“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,” added Aboutrika, whose beloved Egypt finished ahead of South Africa in Group B.

“Honestly, I want him out of the tournament. I don’t like arrogance, especially when everyone is going in one direction, and you’re going the opposite way,” the 2008 BBC African Player of the Year further said.

Broos has always been outspoken and is known for his hardline stance on key issues around his team including selection and tactics.

South Africa beat Angola 2-1 before losing 1-0 to Egypt and concluded group stage action with a nervy 3-2 victory over Zimbabwe which saw them finish second in their group and land the Indomitable Lions in the Round of 16.