The South African Football Association [SAFA] is not shutting the door on Hugo Broos to continue as Bafana Bafana coach after the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Belgian has been in charge of the South Africa national team since May 2021 and is expected to step down from this role after the global football tournament in July. That would mark the end of a period in which he guided Bafana at the 2023 and 2025 AFCON finals.
At the 2023 edition, South Africa claimed bronze but saw their campaign end at the Round of 16 stage the last time out. But what has, arguably, been Broos’ biggest feat as Bafana coach was helping them qualify for the upcoming World Cup.
It is that tournament that the former Cameroon coach has indicated will be his swansong. Not only will he be leaving Bafana, but calling time on his coaching career, which has spanned 38 years.
However, there has been confusion over whether the pronouncement of his retirement is conclusive. After announcing that he will be quitting as a coach, Broos appeared to have made a U-turn in March when he said, “I still have to decide. Let’s wait and see what happens in three or four months.”
The 2017 AFCON-winning coach has also indicated that he wants to bow out honourably, on a high after the World Cup.
FRESH CONTRACT FOR BAFANA COACH BROOS? SAFA SETS RECORD STRAIGHT
“I think we made it very clear to say there are rumours that SAFA is negotiating with Hugo Broos. As far as I know, as the technical chair, we do not go there,” SAFA technical committee chairperson Jack Maluleke addressed the media on the sidelines of NEC meeting on Sunday.
“But we opened the process. If Hugo Broos has interest to continue, I think he will also make a presentation to say I’m available. We won’t close that space.
“But now you must understand that we must make sure we deal with the process because of the timeline, that’s why we have to start soon with the process.
“We are aware that immediately after the World Cup, the team must proceed with other qualifiers. So, we are not going to close on anybody, including Hugo Broos. If he is having that interest, he must come and present and then we take it from there.”
The 2027 AFCON qualifiers are expected to commence in September, creating Bafana with the need to settle their coach issue soon after the World Cup. Pitso Mosimane‘s name has been thrown around as a possible Broos successor.
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