It will be difficult for South Africa to replace Hugo Broos – Belgian coach Luc Eymael

Belgian coach Luc Eymael has highlighted the challenge South Africa will face in replacing Hugo Broos after the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Broos, 73, announced he will retire from coaching following next year’s World Cup, citing a desire to spend more time with his family.

Since taking charge of Bafana Bafana in 2021, he has transformed the team into a competitive force, guiding them to a bronze medal at the most recent Africa Cup of Nations.

“Broos has managed to make the national team perform better, but he is still criticised,” Eymael told KickOff.com.

“Since he took over the national team, most comments directed at him are critical. You can never please everybody. We all know what he did for Cameroon; he is very experienced.

“Broos is a guy with his own ideas. He told me one time, ‘I prefer to die with my ideas than to die with somebody else’s’.

“He can look a bit stubborn, but he knows what he’s doing, he knows what he wants for your national team. He doesn’t please a lot of people. He speaks very frankly; he speaks his mind.

“At the end of the day, I don’t know how many people in South Africa who are like coaches and have their own opinion, their own habits, their own team selection.

“So, it’s difficult because he doesn’t select you just because you are playing for Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates, or whether you are playing for Pyramids FC of Egypt,” he continued.

Eymael praised Broos for his work despite the criticism.

“You can only criticise a coach if he is not delivering. It’s his last job; he wants to retire after the World Cup. It’s gonna be a loss for your country because he is doing really well.

Meanwhile, South Africa will host Zambia in an international friendly at Nelson Mandela Stadium in Gqeberha on Saturday as part of their preparations for teh upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).