Hugo Broos has confirmed reasons behind him leaving his role as South Africa national team head coach after the end of his contract.
Broos’ initial five-year deal he joined on has come to an end at the end of their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign – where South Africa reached the knockout stage for the first time in history.
They were eliminated with a 1-0 defeat to co-hosts Canada and upon his return to South Africa – confirmed he’s honouring his earlier statement this year – that he’ll retire from the game.
“My low absence from my family and lonely moments in South Africa, have led me to make this difficult decision,” Broos said.
“Qualifying for the World Cup 40 years after my participation at the World Cup in ’86 as a player with the Belgian national team.
“Therefore, I will not extend my contract as head coach of Bafana Bafana.”
On Friday afternoon at SAFA House in a presser, the body’s President Danny Jordaan took time to thank the former Cameroon coach, saying:
“I want to say Hugo Broos, thank you very much.”
The 74-old was appointed head coach in 2021, replacing Molefi Ntseki after South Africa failed to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon.
Since then, he’s led them to a bronze medal at the 2023 edition in Ivory Coast, a last-16 finish in Morocco and the round of the 32 in the FIFA World Cup – the first World Cup qualification since the 2002 edition.
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