South Africa: Hugo Broos set to leave Bafana Bafana after five years
The end of a successful journey is looming for Hugo Broos. According to several South African media outlets, the South African Football Association (SAFA) is expected to officially announce this Friday the departure of the Belgian manager, whose contract has come to an end after five years in charge of Bafana Bafana.
SAFA had offered him an extension through to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations. However, the former Cameroon coach turned down the offer, feeling it came too late. At 74, Broos had already hinted before the World Cup that he planned to retire in order to spend more time with his family.
A tenure that reignited Bafana Bafana
Appointed in May 2021 to replace Molefi Ntseki, Hugo Broos dramatically transformed the South African national team. Under his leadership, Bafana Bafana regained a competitive edge that had eluded them for years.
Over five years, the Belgian manager took charge of 60 matches, recording 29 wins, 19 draws, and only 12 defeats. His side netted 92 goals while conceding 62, boasting a win rate close to 48%.
His standout achievements include a third-place finish at the Africa Cup of Nations—the country’s first continental medal in over two decades—and qualification for the World Cup, marking Bafana Bafana’s return to the global stage for the first time since hosting the tournament in 2010.
A coach with a rich African pedigree
Before taking the reins of South Africa, Hugo Broos had already built a strong reputation across the continent. Following a distinguished career in Belgium with clubs like Club Brugge, Anderlecht, and KRC Genk, he led Cameroon to Africa Cup of Nations glory in 2017—one of the crowning achievements of his coaching career.
His experience and discipline helped restore a clear playing identity to the South African team, while also nurturing a new generation of talent.
A strategic succession for SAFA
The anticipated departure of Hugo Broos now presents a major challenge for SAFA. With the 2027 AFCON qualifiers on the horizon, the federation must swiftly appoint a new manager capable of maintaining the momentum established by the Belgian tactician.
The man who put South Africa back on the African football map will leave his position as a true architect, handing over a more competitive and better-prepared Bafana Bafana team ready to take on the challenges of the coming years.
Africa
13 July 2026
World Cup 2026
11 July 2026
