The South African Football Association (SAFA) has announced the appointment of Belgian coach Hugo Broos as the new head coach of the men’s national team, Bafana Bafana. The 69-year-old tactician replaces Molefi Ntseki, who was dismissed in March after the team’s failure to qualify for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.
Broos, who famously guided Cameroon to the 2017 AFCON title, has signed a five-year deal and will be tasked with reviving South Africa’s fortunes on the continental and global stage.
A Coach with African Pedigree
The Belgian coach brings with him decades of experience, having spent over 33 years in management. After a successful playing career in which he represented Belgium 24 times, Broos transitioned into coaching, enjoying spells across Europe and North Africa.
Notably, he worked with Algerian sides JS Kabylie and NA Hussein Dey, before gaining wider continental recognition with Cameroon. His crowning moment came in Gabon in 2017, where he led the Indomitable Lions to an unexpected Africa Cup of Nations triumph, defeating Egypt 2-1 in the final.
However, his tenure with Cameroon ended abruptly the following year after disappointing results in the FIFA Confederations Cup and World Cup qualifiers.
Why South Africa Chose Broos
According to SAFA CEO Tebogo Motlanthe, the decision to appoint Broos was driven by his track record of working with young players and his ability to build winning teams under pressure.
“He has been watching our games and picked up where we are going wrong. The plan that he will be coming with will be to get us back to where we belong as a football country,” Motlanthe said.
Broos has been without a major coaching role since 2019, when he left his caretaker position at Belgian club KV Oostende. Now, he faces the challenge of transforming a South African side that has been struggling for consistency over the past two decades.
Bafana Bafana’s Struggles and the Road Ahead
Since hosting and winning their only Africa Cup of Nations in 1996, South Africa have seen their standing as a football powerhouse decline. Once regarded as a competitive force, Bafana Bafana are now ranked 15th in Africa and 75th globally according to FIFA rankings.
Their recent failure to qualify for the 2021 AFCON highlighted these struggles, with Ntseki’s team bowing out after a crucial defeat to Sudan. Fans and analysts alike have called for a long-term vision and stronger leadership, something SAFA hopes Broos can provide.
The immediate challenge for the new coach will be navigating the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. South Africa are drawn in a tough group alongside Ghana, Zimbabwe, and Ethiopia. Only the group winners will advance to the next qualification round.
Although fixtures were initially scheduled for June, they are likely to be postponed to September due to stadium compliance issues in several countries. This delay could give Broos valuable preparation time to assess his squad and implement his tactical philosophy.
A Long-Term Project
While expectations will be high, Broos has emphasized the importance of patience. His five-year contract reflects SAFA’s desire for stability and long-term planning rather than quick fixes. Rebuilding Bafana Bafana into a competitive team will require developing young talent, improving player mentality, and ensuring consistency in performances against Africa’s top nations.
With his experience, resilience, and proven success in Africa, Hugo Broos represents a bold choice. Supporters will be eager to see whether the Belgian coach can replicate his Cameroon miracle and restore pride to South African football.
