But he believes the situation may work in Bafana Bafana’s favour, giving some of their major rivals a shorter and likely chaotic preparation period, while allowing his largely home-based squad more time on the training pitch.
Bafana started their training camp on Monday with only 12 players, though they were later joined by Orlando Pirates stars who had been given extra time off following the Carling Cup final, though not as much as Mbekezeli Mbokazi took.
FIFA, under pressure from European clubs, has decided that teams need only release players on Monday, with the hardest-hit sides being the likes of hosts Morocco, Senegal and Cameroon.
The timing of the tournament, right in the middle of the European season, does present a challenge, but it appears inconceivable that such a decision would be made regarding the European Championships, for example.
“Saying players who are playing abroad cannot join their national teams until the 15th, I wonder what the situation is with teams like Morocco, Senegal and Nigeria, who only have overseas-based players in their set-up. I don’t know what FIFA thinks about this competition,” Broos told reporters.
“Morocco will get their players on the 15th and six days later they play their opening game (against Comoros). It shows again what FIFA thinks about Africa. I am sure they were also influenced by European clubs to change the dates.”
South Africa will be affected, though not nearly as much as other teams.
Striker Lyle Foster plays for Burnley against Fulham in the Premier League on Saturday and will then link up with the squad, but he has been a regular presence in the team and understands his role and how the side plays.
It is the same for midfielder Sphephelo Sithole, who plays in Portugal for Tondela and has a fixture against Nacional on Saturday. His role in the team is well defined and Broos is not about to introduce a whole new way of playing.
Centre-back Siyabonga Ngezana is under an injury cloud but in theory has a Europa League clash with Feyenoord tonight, after which he can join the team as his side is not in action again until Monday.
Queens Park Rangers youngster Tylon Smith is already in camp, though he has featured for the club’s development team this season and has not been close to the first team in the Championship.
The one situation that has irked Broos is that of winger Shandre Campbell, who has been used sparingly by Club Brugge this season but was told to remain in Belgium until the last possible moment.
“The day he (Campbell) got the call-up, we had a letter from Brugge saying he will only be released on the 15th,” Broos said.
“I think that is a bit bitter. You can do that with a player who is regularly in the first team. But Shandre is always on the bench, sometimes he is not even on the bench, or he comes on for the last five minutes.
“So I am asking why keep that player at the club, when he has the opportunity to prepare with the national team for an AFCON?”
It should be remembered that Broos is something of a legend at Brugge, having won numerous trophies with the club as both a player and a coach. But that counted for nothing in this case.
Bafana’s Saudi-based players, wingers Mohau Nkota and Elias Mokwana, have had a break in their season and have therefore been able to link up with the side.