Bafana Bafana captain Ronwen Williams has dedicated South Africa’s historic 2026 FIFA World Cup Last 32 qualification to coach Hugo Broos, boldly claiming the Belgian tactician deserves the highest honour in the land.
Broos masterminded Bafana’s passage into the knockout phase on Thursday following a hard-fought 1-0 victory over South Korea at the Estadio Monterrey, thanks to Thapelo Maseko‘s second-half strike.
The result saw South Africa finish second in Group A, securing a monumental, first-ever World Cup knockout stage berth since making their tournament debut back in 1998.
Broos’ troops are now scheduled to lock horns with co-hosts Canada in a blockbuster Round of 32 clash at the iconic SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on Sunday, June 28, 2026.
RONWEN WILLIAMS PAYS EMOTIONAL TRIBUTE TO MASTERMIND BROOS
Speaking in the aftermath of the historic triumph in Mexico, an emotional Williams could barely hide his admiration for the veteran mentor.
“We love the coach. What he has done for this team and for this country, I don’t even know how to put it into words,” Williams told FIFA. “He deserves a statue. He deserves the highest recognition one can give for the belief that he has shown in this team from day one. I mean, sometimes, even we didn’t have that belief. We didn’t believe we could go out there, win games, and achieve things.”
HOW THE VETERAN TACTICIAN CONQUERED DOUBT IN THE BAFANA CAMP
The Mamelodi Sundowns shot-stopper revealed how Broos consistently shielded the squad from external noise, instilling a fierce mentality that carried them through the group stages.
“But he always tells us that we can do it. Each and every day when our backs are against the wall, when people are criticising us, and when they don’t believe in us, he’s always there,” Williams added. He supports us through the good and bad moments.
“As players, you won’t always have the best moments on the pitch. But he’s always there, backing us. That’s why today, as much as this victory is for 62 million South Africans back home, this is also for coach Hugo. For what he has done for us and the country. Thank you so much, coach,” the skipper concluded.
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