Hugo Broos questions Pitso Mosimane appointment as Bafana Bafana coach

Former Bafana Bafana manager Hugo Broos has questioned whether appointing Pitso Mosimane would be the right move for South Africa, warning that the national team could “go five years back in time” under his potential successor.

Broos, 74, left his position at the end of July after the National Executive Committee of the South African Football Association agreed to appoint Mosimane. However, Mosimane and SAFA have spent the past few weeks negotiating the former Mamelodi Sundowns and Al Ahly coach’s contract.

Although the remaining issues appear to have been settled, Mosimane could be officially announced as the new Bafana Bafana manager this week.

Broos made his comments in his first exclusive interview since leaving the South Africa job. Speaking to Nieuwsblad in his home country, he raised doubts over whether appointing a local coach was the correct direction for the national side.

“South Africa still doesn’t have a coach,” he stated.

“The candidate Pitso Mosimane, a successful South African coach. However, they know when he comes, they go five years back in time.

“Club owners and agents are calling coaches to influence the selection. I threw them all out.

“When someone called, I sadly flatly ‘I don’t talk with agents’.”

Broos’ remarks suggest that he believes outside influence over player selection has been a significant issue within South African football. He said he refused to engage with agents who attempted to affect his decisions while he was in charge of Bafana Bafana.

The Belgian also reflected on the response he received from supporters during his time with the national team, describing the gratitude shown to him in South Africa as unlike anything he had previously experienced.

“I’ve had to swallow a few times these last few weeks,” he stated when asked if ever got emotional.

Broos highlighted South Africa’s run to third place at the Africa Cup of Nations, as well as the team’s progress in qualifying from the group stages for the first time.

“I never experience the gratitude I experienced there [in South Africa]. Especially after we finished third in the Africa Cup of Nations, and now also survived the group stages for the first time.

“From my apartment to the shopping centre it was 300 meters, there were 10 or 15 selfies each time, cars that stopped and opened the window.

“Once a car blocked the entire street, it was two policemen who asked for a photo.”

His departure came as SAFA moved towards replacing him with Mosimane, who is regarded as one of South Africa’s most successful coaches. The appointment has yet to be formally confirmed, with the contract discussions delaying the announcement.

For now, Mosimane remains the expected successor, while Broos has used his first public comments since leaving the role to question the decision and recall the strong personal connection he developed with supporters during his tenure.