Hugo Broos leaves Bafana Bafana after historic five-year revival

Hugo Broos’ remarkable spell as Bafana Bafana head coach has officially come to an end after the South African Football Association (SAFA) confirmed the veteran Belgian will not extend his contract.

The 74-year-old, who took charge of the national team in May 2021, is expected to return to Belgium to spend more time with his family after overseeing one of the most successful periods in South African football history.

Broos transformed Bafana Bafana

When Broos arrived, confidence around the national team was at a low point.

Over the next five years, he rebuilt Bafana Bafana with a clear long-term vision, placing his faith in emerging players while creating a disciplined and competitive squad.

His tenure included several landmark achievements, including:

• A third-place finish at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire.
• Qualification for the 2025 AFCON tournament in Morocco.
• Guiding South Africa back to the FIFA World Cup for the first time in 16 years.
• Leading Bafana Bafana to the knockout stages of the FIFA World Cup for the first time in the country’s history.

Broos also leaves as the longest-serving Bafana Bafana head coach.

Family comes first

Reports last week indicated that Broos had been offered a one-year contract extension that would have kept him in charge until the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.

However, the experienced coach decided against extending his stay, having previously indicated that spending more time with his family would play a major role in his decision.

SAFA thanks Broos

Speaking during a media briefing on Friday, SAFA President Dr Danny Jordaan confirmed the coach’s departure.

“I want to say Hugo Broos, thank you very much,” Jordaan said.

Search begins for new coach

With Broos officially stepping down, SAFA will now begin the search for a new head coach ahead of South Africa’s next Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign, which begins in September.

His successor will inherit a squad that has been revitalised under Broos and has once again established itself as one of the continent’s competitive national teams.

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