“We Have Seen His Limitations” — Modise Wants Broos Out After Historic World Cup Campaign
Legendary midfielder Teko Modise believes Hugo Broos should not continue as Bafana Bafana head coach, arguing that while the Belgian tactician has elevated the national team, he has ultimately reached his tactical limitations.
Modise insists that because the core of the current squad is young, Bafana Bafana requires a different voice and modern ideas to sustain their upward trajectory.
Broos had previously stated he would retire after the 2026 FIFA World Cup—currently underway in the USA, Canada, and Mexico—but he appeared to backtrack on that decision as South Africa’s historic campaign drew to a close.
Under the veteran Belgian coach, Bafana Bafana made history by advancing past the group stages of the global showpiece for the very first time.
Their fairytale journey ended in the Round of 32, where co-hosts Canada defeated them in a match where South Africa offered very little to threaten Jesse Marsch’s side.
Throughout their four tournament matches, Broos’s tactical setups raised eyebrows—particularly during the opening match against co-hosts Mexico on 11 June.
“We have seen his limitations”
These tactical shortfalls are precisely why Modise feels a change is necessary, despite acknowledging that Broos has taken South African football to heights not seen in decades.
“Let me say this, my bro. With all due respect, he qualified with everything that he said he will,” Modise said.
“He took South Africa to the next level—a level we haven’t been at for a long time—and elevated South African football. He engaged with the fans and made them fall in love with Bafana Bafana again.
“But also, to be honest, we have seen his limitations. Because we have a structured team now, we shouldn’t be scared to continue with a new coach; we need new ideas. The core of the team is much younger now—players like Relebohile Mofokeng and Mbekezeli Mbokazi—those are young boys. We need fresh, new ideas.”
Broos was appointed in May 2021 when the national team was in absolute doldrums. Since then, he guided Bafana Bafana to a bronze medal at the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON)—their first podium finish in 22 years—before securing World Cup qualification in October last year for the first time since 2002.
Setting a New Benchmark
Despite his call for change, Modise emphasized that Broos’s legacy is firmly secure.
“Thanks to Hugo Broos for making us fall in love with Bafana Bafana again, and making us believe. With the knockout stage finish we achieved, next time we can target the Round of 16,” Modise added.
“So, we have a benchmark now.
“But the Mexico game, and the last match against Canada, showed his limitations. You can even look back at the Egypt game in the AFCON [group stages] or Cameroon [Round of 16]—he showed limitations. We need someone with fresh ideas, someone who is brave, someone who will look at things differently. But we will never forget what he has done for South African football.
“For me, he must retire. Not because he hasn’t done good things, but because we need fresh ideas. The generation we have, the core of the team, is very young. We need someone who can truly relate to them.”
Should the former Cameroon mentor step down or part ways with the South African Football Association (SAFA), who said they will engage with him this season, standard reports suggest that Pitso Mosimane remains the frontrunner to succeed him.
