Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has reflected on the challenging start to his tenure in South Africa, recalling when the team played in front of almost empty stadiums.
Broos spoke following Bafana’s decisive 3-0 victory over Rwanda at Mbombela Stadium on Tuesday evening, a result that sealed their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification.
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The Belgian tactician says getting results in the early stages of his tenure was tough because the team did not have the necessary support from the public compared to enthusiastic backing they are getting now.
“I think these people have been waiting for a long time for this,” said Broos on SuperSport TV.
“We all said in the previous days that we can’t lose [an opportunity] to qualify for the World Cup.
“The whole nation was waiting for the qualification, and when you’re so close and you eventually not succeed, it’s very bitter.
“So, we all knew that you see the joy in people. You look at how they are coming to the stadium, supporting us. When I came here four years ago, there was not anyone at the stadium, it was very difficult for us to play in an empty stadium.
“Now, today everyone is behind us and this is a very nice feeling.”
Since Bafana clinched the AFCON bronze medal last year, there has been a noticeable surge in support, with fans now filling up stadiums.
The team will carry this momentum into the next Africa Cup of Nations, scheduled to be held in Morocco between December and January.
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