SAFA’s leadership are singing a different tune regarding the future of Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos, who plans to retire after the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America.
The Belgian, turning 74 next month, has stated his intention to step down following the tournament, which will be hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada. This decision has sparked speculation about his potential successor, but SAFA CEO Lydia Monyepao emphasised that discussing the search for a new coach is still premature.
During an event in Rosebank on Monday, where SAFA announced a new partnership with Standard Bank, Monyepao highlighted that the association’s main focus remains on preparing for the World Cup.
“Our focus right now as an association is about the World Cup as far as Bafana are concerned, so we are not really thinking beyond July 2026 because I think that will impact the preparation for our players and technical team,” said Monyepao.
She emphasised that maintaining focus is essential as the team prepares for the prestigious tournament. “We are not trying to think about whether coach Hugo Broos is staying or not, but our main focus is to ensure that we prepare our team for the tournament adequately,” she added.
DANNY JORDAAN’S STANCE ON HUGO BROOS’ FUTURE
While the CEO has drawn a line under the succession talk, SAFA president Danny Jordaan has hinted that Broos’ tenure may not necessarily end after the World Cup.
“One of the things that’s delivered success for our national teams, because many people ask, ‘Why are you achieving success now?’ The reason is simple,” said Jordaan. “We have not changed coaches over the last four years, and before the expiry of their contracts, Hugo Broos has been serving his contract. We have to discuss with him.
“He’s indicated that at the end of his contract, he’ll have reached his retirement age, but we still have a conversation to have.”
Jordaan highlighted coaching stability as vital to the recent improvements of the senior national teams, including Desiree Ellis’s women’s team.
“Desiree Ellis has been with us for 10 years. Never in the history of South African football have you had a coach appointed and staying the course, and it’s been difficult. Very often, people suggest why this or that coach must go,” he added.
“Coaches must be given the opportunity to settle the team, scan the landscape of available talent and then decide which players are best suited for my team and can deliver.
“We have seen, in the last 11 years, I think we have had 21 coaches, so before the coach makes his second choice, his changes, you see the spectators, if a player misses a goal, they ask for a change of the coach, and this is one problem we realised cannot continue.”
With Broos approaching five years in charge, having arrived in May 2021, SAFA’s leadership appears to differ in their stance over his future.
BAFANA TO PLAY PANAMA
Meanwhile, Bafana is scheduled to play two upcoming international friendlies against Panama later this month. The two matches are crucial for Broos’s preparations for the World Cup. Durban’s Moses Mabhida Stadium and DHL Cape Town Stadium will host the two international friendly matches against the Central American nation.
The first match will take place at Moses Mabhida on Friday, 27 March, with the second set for Tuesday, 31 March 2026.
Broos is expected to name his squad for the two friendly matches later this month.
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