Hugo Broos retires after emotional Bafana Bafana farewell

Hugo Broos has confirmed his departure from Bafana Bafana and South Africa after almost five years as head coach, bringing an end to a tenure that included a revival in the senior national team’s fortunes and a historic Fifa World Cup achievement.

Broos will retire after deciding not to renew his contract with the South African Football Association (Safa). He made the announcement at an emotional farewell press conference at Safa House on Friday afternoon.

The Belgian is widely credited with helping transform Bafana Bafana from a team regarded as having little prospect of success into a side that qualified for back-to-back Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) tournaments.

His time in charge also included the landmark achievement of guiding South Africa into the knockout stages of the 2026 Fifa World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

Broos said his years with the national team had been deeply rewarding, particularly because of the relationship he developed with the players. That bond, he indicated, had been central to his experience in the role and made his departure especially emotional.

However, the demands of working away from home and being separated from his family played a decisive part in his decision to step down. Broos said those personal sacrifices meant he would not continue with Bafana Bafana as the team prepares for the 2027 Afcon in Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania.

His decision closes a period in which the national side regained momentum and returned to the major African and global stages. Broos’ departure leaves Safa facing the task of appointing his successor before the team’s next phase of preparation for the 2027 Afcon.

Speaking at the farewell event, Broos offered his best wishes to the players, the team’s next coach and those responsible for guiding South African football.

“I hope things will go well for Bafana, and the necessary steps will be taken to make sure that players become even better. I wish my successor all the best going forward, and I want to thank Safa president Danny Jordaan and the rest of the Safa staff and the minister of sport Gayton McKenzie for his enthusiastic support.”

Broos also thanked Safa president Danny Jordaan, the organisation’s staff and South Africa’s minister of sport, Gayton McKenzie, for their support during his time with the national team.

The farewell marks the conclusion of Broos’ almost five-year spell at the coaching helm. He leaves after overseeing a period that took Bafana Bafana from being viewed as outsiders to securing successive Afcon qualifications and reaching the knockout phase of the 2026 Fifa World Cup.

Broos is now set to retire, while Bafana Bafana will begin the search for the manager who will lead them into the next Afcon campaign.