Former Bafana Bafana head coach Jomo Sono has lauded Hugo Broos and stated he’s proved everyone wrong.
Broos is closing in on Clive Barker’s record as the longest-serving coach in the South Africa national team history, and he’s doing it in style.
Appointed as the successor to Molefi Ntseki, when national morale in the Bafana squad was arguably at its lowest following the failure to qualify for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, there’s been a 180-degree turn under his guidance.
Despite failing to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup with a youthful, inexperienced approach to his squad selection, since then, hope has been restored, starting with the bronze medal at AFCON 2023 in Ivory Coast, a first podium finish in two decades.
“I think he’s doing a good job. We must not take the fact away that he’s doing a good job. I think he will stay longer if he can survive you guys [the media]. I think he will stay longer,” Sono said as he looks set to become Bafana’s longest-serving coach.
“You know when he started he was being character assassinated left, right, and centre and he proved all of us wrong, but I think he’s a good coach and doing very well.”
Bafana’s crowd attendance has improved massively and the attacking intent seen lately has brought a new optimism, typified by the recent 5-0 win over Congo Brazzaville which equalled the record winning margin for the country.
He’s been linked with moves away from the country during this period, with the Algeria and Tunisia jobs, as well as a potential return to Belgium with Club Brugge.
But he’s come out on numerous occasions to state publicly that he’s committed to the five-year contract and project that will run until the end of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
“He noticed it’s a different ball game, the national team is not a ground where you can rebuild or build new players,” Sono added about squad selection.
“The national team you just have to play players who are ready and go and win, that’s it and that’s what he’s doing. He’s playing players who are ready and go play for the country and winning.”
Broos has overseen 39 games in charge, with 19 wins 12 draws and six defeats and should he go beyond January 2025, he will be the longest serving coach officially.
