Danny Jordaan clashes with reporter over Hugo Broos contract questions

South African Football Association (Safa) president Danny Jordaan became visibly irritated and cut short an interview when repeatedly pressed by a television journalist over the future of Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos.

Jordaan was speaking in Sandton, Johannesburg, on Thursday at the launch of former Bafana Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane’s book, Youth Football: Coaching Manual, when questions turned to Broos’s contract situation.

Broos’s current deal with the national team is due to expire this month. The 74-year-old Belgian had previously said he intended to retire from coaching after leading Bafana at the 2026 Fifa World Cup in North America, where South Africa went out in the last 32 last month.

Despite that, both Safa and Broos have signalled they could explore extending his stay until next year’s Africa Cup of Nations in East Africa, scheduled for June and July.

However, Jordaan dismissed reports that a short-term deal had already been agreed and bristled at suggestions that Safa had concluded a new arrangement with the coach.

“No such thing” as one-year Broos deal, says Jordaan

Asked for an update on the negotiations around Broos’s contract, Jordaan reiterated Safa’s statement from Wednesday, which rejected claims that a one-year extension had been signed.

“There is no such thing as Safa signing a one-year contract with Broos. It doesn’t exist. It’s nonsense,” Jordaan said.

“And it’s better that this nonsense is not put out there. I just came back [from the World Cup] yesterday [Wednesday] and I saw. What is this now? It’s nonsense.”

The exchange with an eNCA journalist, part of a media “huddle” at the event, then became increasingly tense as follow-up questions focused on whether Broos remained in his post.

Reporter pressed on identity of Bafana coach –

The journalist asked Jordaan: “So do we have a coach?”

“Ja, we have a coach,” Jordaan replied.

When the questioner followed up with, “Who’s the coach?”, Jordaan declined to give a direct answer and instead referred to Safa’s internal structures.

“No, we will deal with that. There is a process. The technical committee makes a recommendation to the [Safa] national executive [NEC]. The NEC finally decides on the coach,” he said.

“So you cannot stop me in the street and hijack a decision. It’s not going to happen.”

The reporter responded: “We are not hijacking a decision, Dr Jordaan. I think South Africa deserves to know where we stand right now.”

Jordaan replied: “No, no, South Africa must wait. South Africa must understand the World Cup ended just yesterday.”

Interview ends as Safa boss walks away —

As the journalist continued to seek clarity, Jordaan grew more frustrated.

“OK, you have your answer then. Why are you asking me? Don’t interrupt when I am talking,” he said.

“No, no, you are out of order and you must behave yourself,” Jordaan added.

When the reporter pointed out that the media were “just asking a question”, Jordaan insisted Safa’s processes needed to run their course before any announcement could be made.

“No, you must ask your question. We are having processes and things that must happen. So you must wait,” he said, before abruptly ending the exchange and walking away from the media scrum.

Mosimane confirms interest in Bafana role —

Pitso Mosimane, who previously coached Bafana Bafana, SuperSport United, Mamelodi Sundowns and Al Ahly, has been reported as one of the candidates Safa are considering should Broos not continue in the role.

At his book launch, Mosimane confirmed both his interest in returning to the national team job and that he had held talks with the association regarding the position.

No further details were provided by Safa on Thursday about the timing of a final decision on Broos’s future or any potential successor.