South Africa coach Hugo Broos faces human rights complaint after controversial remarks ahead of AFCON

South Africa coach Hugo Broos is facing intense scrutiny after a political party lodged a complaint with the Human Rights Commission over comments he made about defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi, just days before the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations begins.

The uproar follows Broos’ public criticism of Mbokazi, who arrived late to the national team camp as preparations began for the tournament.

The Belgian coach rebuked the Chicago Fire player for what he described as an unprofessional attitude, questioning both the late arrival and the timing of the defender’s recent move to Major League Soccer.

“If you receive a call-up to play for the national team at the AFCON and the World Cup, if your club coach gives you a few extra days off, if you are someone with a good attitude, you don’t even want those two days. You are there on Monday like the other players,” Broos said.

However, the strongest backlash has come from another comment the coach made regarding Mbokazi, one that has been widely condemned as racially offensive.

Broos stated: I’ll have a talk with him after practice. And I can assure you, he’s a Black guy, but he’ll leave my room as a white guy.

The remark provoked outrage across social media and political circles.

The United Democratic Movement (UDM) announced that it has formally reported Broos to the Human Rights Commission, arguing that the comment reflects racist attitudes that cannot be ignored.

Alongside the racial controversy, Broos also sparked criticism over remarks aimed at Mbokazi’s agent, Basia Michaels.

The coach questioned the logic behind the player’s move to the United States, suggesting that better opportunities could have followed upcoming major tournaments.

It’s not even an elite club in America. If my information is correct, I’ve been told he plays in MLS2, in Chicago’s reserve team – if that’s true, I don’t know, I’ll ask him when I see him. It’s even worse, Broos said. He continued by calling the agent not very smart for agreeing to the move.

He added: But I know what happened. A woman who is his agent and thinks she knows football does what many agents do, thinking ‘how much can I get?’ If she were a little bit intelligent, she would know that there is the Africa Cup of Nations and next year the World Cup, that there will be other teams, better for his career, where he could go and not Chicago.

🔴 UDM TAKES @BafanaBafana Coach Hugo Broos to the Human Rights Commission for alleged racist & sexist remarks!! 🔴

“Thoughts please….!!”~P.M. 🕊 pic.twitter.com/ZHhpyx83kt

— robertmarawa (@robertmarawa) December 11, 2025

UDM MP Nqabayomzi Kwankwa confirmed the party’s complaint, citing both racist and sexist elements in Broos’ remarks.

“Racism and white supremacist attitudes have no place in our society and we will not tolerate them from anyone, including the Bafana Bafana coach.

We have also written to SAFA to express our deep concern and disgust at his comments. Hugo must be held accountable for his remarks” said Kwankwa.

The South African Football Association has yet to issue a formal response, and the Human Rights Commission is expected to review the complaint.

With the AFCON tournament about to begin, the controversy has created an unwelcome distraction for the national team.