South African Football Association, SAFA, president Danny Jordaan on Friday confirmed the departure of Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos, bringing an end to his five-year tenure on the final day of his contract.
Broos was appointed in May 2021 following Bafana’s failure to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations.
The 74-year-old Belgian guided South Africa to a third-place finish at AFCON 2023, held in early 2024 in Ivory Coast, and to the round of 32 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
It was Bafana’s first World Cup appearance in 16 years, and first qualification in 24 years since hosting the tournament in 2010.
After the World Cup, Broos told Belgian publication _Voetbalnieuws_ that his exit was “irreversible” due to family reasons, but said he was open to other roles within SAFA.
SAFA initially denied he had left, and later denied reports that a one-year extension had been finalised.
Broos now leaves as the longest-serving Bafana head coach in history. His successor has not yet been announced.
Pitso Mosimane, 62, is widely reported to be the frontrunner. Mosimane previously coached Bafana and won the CAF Champions League once with Mamelodi Sundowns and twice with Egypt’s Al Ahly.
Hugo Broos Departs as Bafana Bafana Coach After Five Years
