Bafana Bafana will miss Hugo Broos’ direct approach, says Orlando Pirates captain Nkosinathi Sibisi

Orlando Pirates captain Nkosinathi Sibisi says Bafana Bafana will feel the absence of Hugo Broos after the Belgian manager retired last month, praising the former coach for his honesty, discipline and willingness to challenge players.

Broos took charge of a struggling South Africa side five years ago and helped transform the national team’s fortunes. Under his leadership, Bafana Bafana finished third at the 2023 AFCON and qualified for the Fifa World Cup for the first time in 24 years.

He also became the first coach to guide Bafana Bafana into the knockout stages of the World Cup in the United States and Mexico.

Sibisi was one of the few players involved throughout Broos’ entire five-year tenure, from the manager’s first camp to his final one. Speaking at the 2026 MTN8 launch at SuperSport Studio in Johannesburg, the Orlando Pirates defender said Broos’ personality would be difficult to replace.

“Look, I think he’s going to be a big miss, you know, a big miss. What a man, you know,” Sibisi said at the MTN8 launch in Johannesburg.

The 30-year-old described Broos as a manager who made his expectations clear and rewarded players who met them.

“He’s a straight talker, not afraid to voice out his opinions. You know where you stand with him. You know, if you work hard, he’ll reward you. You know, if you’re not, you’re out of his team. And I think that’s the type of mentality that we kind of needed as a country.”

Broos’ outspoken comments occasionally attracted criticism, but Sibisi believes the manager’s intentions were positive and aimed at raising standards within the national team.

“He shook everyone, you know, because some of his comments, some might have taken it differently, you know, but it was coming from a good heart, you know, and a positive heart to say we shouldn’t strive for less. You know, we should always strive for more.”

Sibisi said Broos’ achievements with South Africa were built on a consistent commitment to hard work and discipline. He also wished the 74-year-old well as he begins retirement and spends more time with his family and grandchildren.

“I think whatever he’s achieved with us is through the hard work and the discipline that he showed. And, you know, I wish him all the best. I think now he’s retired to spend some time with family and his grandkids.”

The Orlando Pirates captain also highlighted the personal support he received from Broos, particularly when his place in the national team was questioned publicly.

Sibisi said the coach continued to back him privately despite criticism of his performances and calls for him to be left out of the squad.

“He will always be very close to my heart. I’ve sent him a message as well to pass my gratitude to him for the faith he’s shown, you know, in me. Even at times where, you know, people criticised me and thought I shouldn’t have been in the national team,” he said.

Broos’ willingness to defend Sibisi gave the defender an added responsibility to repay that trust through his performances and effort.

“But for him to have the courage and to stand up for me in such a way, I could only repay him with the hard work that I’ve tried to contribute within the team.”

Sibisi was pictured during the 2026 MTN8 launch at SuperSport Studio in Johannesburg on 5 August 2026.

Image: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix