Hugo Broos expected to leave Bafana Bafana role after five-year spell

Hugo Broos is expected to step down as Bafana Bafana head coach, bringing an end to a five-year spell in charge of South Africa’s national team that included a first FIFA World Cup qualification since 2010.

The 74-year-old Belgian, appointed in May 2021 as successor to Molefi Ntseki, has overseen a significant upturn in results, guiding South Africa to regular Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) participation and back onto the global stage.

Broos had already indicated in a series of interviews before the World Cup that he planned to retire from coaching, stressing that his age and a wish to spend more time with his family were key factors in his thinking.

Contract extension turned down

The South African Football Association (SAFA) offered Broos a new deal that would have seen him remain in charge through to the 2027 AFCON, which will be co-hosted by Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania.

However, iDiski Times understands that Broos declined the extension, feeling the proposal was made too late, with Bafana Bafana’s next match set for 23 September and uncertainty lingering over the positions of some members of his backroom staff.

The decision comes at a time of change within the national team’s technical set-up.

Backroom staff departures

Following the World Cup, Sinesipho Mali, who had been serving as head tactical and performance analyst for Bafana Bafana, left the national team to join AmaZulu ahead of the new season.

On Thursday, conditioning coach Kopano Melesi also confirmed he was leaving his role with South Africa, further underlining the transition taking place behind the scenes.

Several Bafana Bafana players have posted tributes to Broos on social media, thanking him for his work and impact during his tenure as national team coach.

SAFA set to confirm exit and begin search

SAFA has called a press conference at which the association is expected to formally confirm Broos’ departure from the post.

Attention will then turn to identifying his successor, with the 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign drawing near and Bafana Bafana facing important fixtures in the coming months.

Broos’ anticipated exit will close a chapter that began in 2021 and delivered both AFCON consistency and a return to the World Cup, leaving SAFA with a crucial decision over the next coach to lead South Africa into a new cycle.