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Hugo Broos has officially stepped down as South Africa’s men’s national team coach following the expiration of his contract with the South African Football Association.
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During his five-year tenure, the Belgian guided Bafana Bafana back to the FIFA World Cup and secured a third-place finish at the Africa Cup of Nations.
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 The 74-year-old departs as the longest-serving coach in the history of South Africa’s men’s national team after rebuilding the squad following years of inconsistency.
July 31, (THEWILL) — Former Bafana Bafana boss Pitso Mosimane is widely tipped to succeed Broos, although SAFA has yet to announce a replacement.
The South African Football Association (SAFA) has officially announced the departure of Hugo Broos as head coach of Bafana Bafana, bringing an end to the Belgian tactician’s successful five-year spell with the national team.
SAFA president Danny Jordaan confirmed on Friday that Broos’ contract had expired and would not be renewed, ending months of speculation surrounding the future of the experienced coach.
Broos took over the South African national team in May 2021 following the country’s failure to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations.
Tasked with rebuilding the squad, he gradually transformed Bafana Bafana into a competitive side on the African continent.
His tenure was highlighted by South Africa’s impressive run to third place at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, a tournament staged in the Ivory Coast in early 2024 after being rescheduled.
The 74-year-old also ended the country’s long wait for a return to the FIFA World Cup, guiding Bafana Bafana to qualification for the 2026 tournament.
It marked South Africa’s first appearance at the global showpiece since hosting the competition in 2010 and their first qualification through the qualifiers in more than two decades.
At the expanded World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, Broos led South Africa into the Round of 32, achieving the nation’s best World Cup performance since the introduction of the new tournament format.
Questions over Broos’ future had intensified after the World Cup when he revealed in an interview with Belgian media that he intended to step away from coaching to spend more time with his family.
While he suggested he could still contribute to South African football in another capacity, he indicated that his time on the touchline with Bafana Bafana had come to an end.
SAFA had previously dismissed reports that Broos had already left his position and also denied claims that a one-year contract extension had been agreed. Friday’s announcement has now brought the matter to a close.
Broos exits as the longest-serving head coach in the history of South Africa’s senior men’s national team, leaving behind a legacy of stability, discipline, and renewed belief after several difficult years.
With his departure confirmed, attention has shifted to the search for a new coach.
Former Bafana Bafana manager Pitso Mosimane is regarded as the leading candidate for the role, although SAFA has not yet named Broos’ successor.
The highly respected coach boasts an outstanding record in African club football, having won multiple CAF Champions League titles with Mamelodi Sundowns and Egyptian powerhouse Al Ahly.
