Hugo Broos to step down as Bafana Bafana coach after five years in charge

Hugo Broos’ five-year spell in charge of South Africa will end on Friday, with the Bafana Bafana coach bringing his long managerial career to a close and returning home to spend more time with his family.

The 72-year-old has opted to retire from coaching following talks with South African Football Association (Safa) president Danny Jordaan on Thursday, drawing a line under a tenure widely credited with reviving the national team.

His departure is set to be formally confirmed at a Safa House press conference on Friday afternoon, where Broos is expected to bid farewell. His contract also officially expires on the same day.

The Belgian, who is currently in South Africa after attending the funeral of Jayden Adams last weekend, had been offered the chance to stay on and lead Bafana Bafana through to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon), to be co-hosted by Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania. However, he has chosen not to extend his deal.

World Cup landmark his final act

Broos’ last assignment was the 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifying campaign, during which he guided Bafana Bafana to a historic first qualification for the knockout stage. That achievement has been hailed as a key moment in the restoration of the team’s competitive standing.

He had previously stated he would retire after the 2026 tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada. Although he initially seemed to reconsider that stance in the immediate aftermath of Bafana Bafana’s elimination, he has now confirmed he will indeed step away from coaching.

One of the standout achievements of his reign came at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast, where South Africa, unfancied before the tournament, finished third. That run to the semi-finals was seen as a significant overperformance relative to expectations.

Building a new core

Alongside results on the pitch, Broos also oversaw a generational refresh of the national team, handing debuts and increased international exposure to a number of emerging players.

Among those he brought into the Bafana Bafana set-up were Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Ime Okon, Relebohile Mofokeng, Oswin Appollis, Mohau Nkota, Tshepang Moremi and Thapelo Maseko, underlining his willingness to trust younger talent.

His exit now leaves Safa with a major decision to make as they look to maintain the progress of the past few years.

Mosimane linked as succession race begins

The vacancy is expected to intensify speculation over a possible return for Pitso Mosimane, who has been widely reported as one of the leading contenders to succeed Broos.

Safa has not yet announced a shortlist or timeline for an appointment, but the incoming coach will have little time to settle before competitive fixtures resume.

Bafana Bafana will begin their 2025 Afcon qualifying campaign in September, having been drawn in Group D alongside Guinea, Kenya and Eritrea. South Africa start against Guinea and Eritrea, and will be targeting strong early results to boost their chances of reaching a third successive Afcon finals.

Backroom change adds to transition

The sense of transition around the national team was underlined on Thursday when long-serving physical trainer Kopano Melesi confirmed he is stepping away from his role with Bafana Bafana.

Announcing his decision, Melesi said: “Alright team ‘sub me off’. I came to leave a mark and I hope I did. It’s been an honour to represent South Africa and compete at the highest level.

“I am not leaving the sport, I am just taking a much-needed break from international duty. Bafana, thank you, it’s been real.”

Broos’ farewell on Friday will close a chapter that has reshaped the recent history of South African football, with his successor inheriting a squad that has re-established itself on the continental and global stage.