CAN 2025 - Hugo Broos: "Why would an African coach be any less capable?"

04.01.26 FT AFCON - Africa Cup of Nations

South Africa

1

:

Cameroon

2

In African football, where old habits still linger, Hugo Broos has chosen to speak plainly. The South Africa head coach has challenged a persistent belief, often accepted without real scrutiny: the supposed superiority of foreign coaches over local tacticians.

Read also: CAN 2025 / Mali - Tunisia: "We hope the referee won’t blow the whistle in the 85th minute," Hannibal Mejbri quips about officiating

"Why should an African coach be any less capable than others? People always think foreign coaches are better than local coaches—why? Don’t ask me. I don’t know."

A direct, almost disarming statement targeting a deeply entrenched stereotype.

In just a few sentences, Broos reignites a fundamental debate: that of competence, legitimacy, and the trust placed in African coaches, at a time when recent results are prompting a rethink of long-held assumptions.

Mahdi Zakaria LAZRI |

Editor

Football web writer creating digital sports content with a focus on news, analysis and stories that reflect passion, accuracy and objectivity.

Related teams and leagues

South Africa

Cameroon

AFCON - Africa Cup of Nations