Reflecting on an unforgettable five-year tenure at the helm of Bafana Bafana, head coach Hugo Broos has named what he considers to be his biggest achievement and lasting legacy with the South African national team.
The Belgian’s historic tenure as Bafana Bafana head coach reached its contractual conclusion following South Africa’s fairytale 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign, which ended with a narrow 1-0 defeat to Canada in the Round of 32 in Los Angeles last month.
While the 74-year-old tactician had initially insisted he would vacate his post at the end of the global showpiece, Broos has now done a dramatic U-turn, leaving the door wide open to a potential extension.
Addressing the media after Bafana’s homecoming on Thursday at the OR Tambo International Airport, SAFA president Danny Jordaan confirmed that the association will hold talks with the history-making coach before making an official announcement on his future.
Broos’ remarkable five-year stint has officially made him the longest-serving head coach in Bafana Bafana history. During his time at the helm, the veteran masterminded a spectacular renaissance in South African football. He first guided Bafana to a bronze medal finish at the 2023 AFCON in Ivory Coast, before anchoring the national team to their first-ever appearance in the knockout stages of a FIFA World Cup.
Trusting mostly Betway Premiership players during his time in charge of Bafana, Broos built a team that became globally competitive.
HUGO BROOS REVEALS HIS GREATEST SATISFACTION AS BAFANA BAFANA COACH
Broos says he embedded a winning attitude into the national team and rates it as his greatest influence. After being appointed Bafana coach in May 2021, he inherited a team that had failed to qualify for the 2021 AFCON finals.
His early days were marked by failure, as South Africa failed to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. His Macedonian first assistant coach, Cedo Janevski, abandoned the Bafana project they were building after a year, before Broos stuck with Helman Mkhalele as his right-hand man.
“I think the mentality of the team has changed a lot. I came here five years ago. When I came to South Africa five years ago, I saw the first training session with the national team, and I couldn’t believe my eyes,” said Broos.
“Their mentality was not good. I had to stop training sessions and tell them, ‘Hey, guys, this is your job. You have to work. You did not come here to the national team to have a few days off, and then you go back to your clubs.’
“So I think that certainly if there is something changing in the national team, it’s the mentality. You certainly need that mentality to succeed. So, again, I think that is something that made us successful. The mentality was there [against Canada]; they even wanted to die on the field, and this is something that has to stay in this team.”
With the squad returning from the United States to a hero’s welcome, all eyes are now on SAFA’s upcoming board meeting. What initially looked like a definitive farewell tour in North America may well evolve into the next chapter of Broos’ legendary South African legacy.
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