Doctor Khumalo: Bafana Bafana Legend Blasts CAF and FIFA Over AFCON Decision

• Bafana Bafana legend Doctor Khumalo has condemned CAF and FIFA over their controversial decision on the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations
• The former Kaizer Chiefs midfielder was not happy with CAF's decision, and believes the organisation is not protecting African football enough
• The comments on CAF and FIFA from the legendary South African footballer sparked different reactions from fans on social media

Kaizer Chiefs legend Doctor Khumalo has hit out at the Confederation of African Football, who are the organisers of the Africa Cup of Nations, and the football governing body, FIFA, after a controversial decision was taken ahead of the 2025 edition of the competition in Morocco.

The former South African international fumed at CAF for accepting the decision after FIFA confirmed that players who have been called up by their nations participating at AFCON only need to be released by their respective clubs seven days before the competition kicks off in Morocco.

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The decision from FIFA came as a surprise to many coaches and the countries' FAs, who had already planned out friendlies before the tournament kicks off. The new decision has affected the plans, with most top players playing in Europe not yet being released by their clubs two weeks before the competition.

South Africa released their final 25-man list a few days ago, but Hugo Broos won't be much affected by the new FIFA rule, as his team is dominated mainly by players in the Premier Soccer League.

Khumalo blasts CAF and FIFA

Khumalo, who recently shared what he told Mohau Nkota, argued that CAF should have taken a stronger stance to protect African football, noting that the organisation needs to learn to safeguard the interests of the continent. He acknowledged the significance of African players globally but stressed that Africa’s own tournament deserves greater respect.

The former South African international further highlighted that CAF must be cautious about the tournament's scheduling because poor timing creates conflicts with the contracts of Europe-based players.

Although some might be inclined to blame FIFA, Khumalo placed the responsibility on CAF, stating that the body should have insisted on maintaining the original tournament dates and required clubs to release players several weeks in advance rather than just a few days before kickoff.

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On a more positive note for Bafana Bafana, he observed that the situation might benefit the team because the majority of its players are based locally.

Here is what fans are saying on social media about Khumalo's reaction to CAF agreeing to FIFA's rule on players participating in the 2025 AFCON.

Tshingana implied:

"Given that high-profile African players are plying their trade in Europe, what is stopping CAF from hosting the AFCON finals when the European leagues are done? If not, there will always be European clubs vs African national teams conflict where AFCON finals are concerned."

Lucky_mhlanga23 wrote:

"It's not about respect but alignment. Why did CAF move away from hosting Afcon during the off-season, June-July, just like Euro and Copa America do so that this could be avoided?"

Phefeni LungeloLuke said:

"It started before Motsepe, it's worse now, actually, the FIFA president is controlling both FIFA and AFCON, they don't take AFCON seriously, but they scout African players in AFCON competition."

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Maropeng Mathopo shared:

"Mara, this tournament is every year.🤷🏽‍♂️ Hence, European clubs don’t take it seriously. Make it 4 years and develop continental football, and money will start flowing. If not, this tournament will lose value."

Phalamodise commented:

"Doctor Khumalo is correct. The CAF President, Mr Patrice Motsepe, must stand up to FIFA and European Soccer leadership. AFCON is not a Junior Competition to either, COPA América or the European Championship. It is played by far more countries than Europe and South America combined."

Lubha_za added:

"Inferiority complex is a big disease amongst Africans. I hear a lot of perverse reasoning advanced that European clubs pay the salaries of the African players. It's a salary, not a donation or charity. African players aren't beggars. Europeans need African players."

Maswanganyi opens up on Bafana snub

Briefly News earlier reported that Orlando Pirates star Patrick Maswanganyi opened up on missing out on the final Bafana Bafana squad for AFCON.

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The South African international was part of the 54-man provisional list, but was cut from the final pick by Hugo Broos.

Source: Briefly News