Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos shared what he considers his biggest highlight since taking charge of the national team four years ago. This reflection comes on the heels of a major milestone in his tenure.
As of 5 May 2025, Broos has become the longest-serving Bafana Bafana coach, surpassing the record previously held by the late Clive Barker, who was in charge of the national team for exactly four years.
The late Barker remains the only coach to win the CAF Africa Cup of Nations [AFCON] trophy with Bafana Bafana. However, the 73-year-old Broos is also closer to reaching the 50-match milestone with South Africa.
WHY GETTING A BRONZE MEDAL AT THE AFCON IN IVORY COAST REMAINS HUGO BROOS’ HIGHLIGHT AS BAFANA COACH
“It’s easy, hey. The bronze medal at the AFCON is the highlight,” Broos said on Thursday after announcing the Bafana squad that will face Tanzania and Mozambique in international friendlies in June.
“The games we played there with no belief that many people had in that team, and you saw us game after game, you saw us growing, beating Morocco, and going to the semi-finals.
“If we had been a bit lucky, the last-minute chance by [Khuliso] Mudau, against Nigeria, we should have been in the final. But again, we were beautifully happy with the bronze medal. So for me, that was really the highlight of the last four years here with Bafana Bafana.”
BAFANA BAFANA COACH EXPLAINS HIS CHOICE OF SELECTION FOR THE UPCOMING FRIENDLY MATCHES
South Africa will take on Tanzania at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Friday, 6 June and Mozambique at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria four days later. Broos also explained why he opted for the two nations instead of other stronger opponents.
“I didn’t want to play against the top teams of Africa. We are not ready for them because there are too many young players,” explained Broos.
“But I also didn’t want to play against a weak team. With Tanzania and Mozambique, we have two strong teams. So it will not be easy for these young guys. So they have to show their qualities and talent in the next games, and they will have game time.”
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