The South African Football Association (SAFA) has dismissed reports claiming that Hugo Broos has stepped down as head coach of the Bafana Bafana following the team’s impressive run at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
In a statement released on Friday, SAFA described the reports as false, insisting that the 74-year-old Belgian remains in charge of the South African senior men’s national team.
The clarification came after Belgian outlet Voetbalnieuws reported that Broos had decided to end his five-year tenure, describing his decision as “irreversible,” and suggested that SAFA president Danny Jordaan was considering a different role for the veteran coach.
Rejecting the claims, SAFA stated that the South African Football Association (SAFA) has dismissed claims that mentor Hugo Broos has left his role as the head coach of the South African senior men’s national team.
“Broos remains as the head coach of Bafana Bafana and reports claiming the contrary are completely false.”
The federation noted that similar speculation surfaced after South Africa won bronze at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, when Broos was linked with the Tunisia national team job, but he remained with Bafana Bafana.
SAFA also reflected on the team’s historic 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign, where South Africa reached the knockout stage for the first time after defeating South Korea 1-0 in their final group match before suffering a Round of 32 defeat to Canada.
According to the federation, Broos is currently on holiday at his home in Belgium and is expected to return to South Africa later this month.
Although his contract was initially expected to expire after the World Cup, Broos indicated during the tournament that he would be willing to discuss extending his stay.
Since taking charge in 2021, Broos has overseen a remarkable turnaround for South African football, leading Bafana Bafana to a third-place finish at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations and their best-ever FIFA World Cup performance, achievements that have cemented his place as one of the country’s most successful national team coaches.
