SAFA Denies Broos Resignation Rumors

The South African Football Association (SAFA) has vehemently dismissed rampant rumors that Hugo Broos has vacated his post as Bafana Bafana head coach, clarifying that the veteran tactician remains officially in charge.

According to the association, Broos is currently at home in Belgium for a scheduled break and will return to South Africa later this month. His departure follows a historic campaign where he guided Bafana Bafana to the knockout stages of the 2026 FIFA World Cup for the first time in the country’s history.

Broos, who took the helm of the national team in May 2021, had initially indicated to SAFA management that he intended to retire at the conclusion of the tournament. However, on the eve of South Africa’s Round of 32 clash against Canada, the Belgian appeared to have a change of heart.

While he hinted at stepping away from the intense daily demands of coaching within South African borders, Broos openly noted that he does not envision himself leading a team as head coach at the 2030 World Cup, given that he will be 78 years old by then.

Upon the squad’s return from their historic global campaign, SAFA President Danny Jordaan confirmed that the federation’s executive committee will formally convene to evaluate the technical framework.

Broos is currently being heavily earmarked to transition into a high-level technical advisor role within SAFA’s structures.

SAFA said in a letter on Friday.

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. It is not the first time that the Belgian mentor is being linked to an exit shortly after the South African senior men’s national team has performed well at an international tournament.  

In March 2024 Broos was said to be joining the Tunisian national team a few weeks after Bafana Bafana had won bronze at the Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast. 

Broos returned with the team from the 2026 FIFA World Cup a few days ago after making history in the global showpiece currently underway in the United States of America, Mexico and Canada. Bafana Bafana qualified for the second round of the tournament for the first time ever after beating South Korea 1-0 in the last group match in Monterrey, Mexico. 

The coach is currently at home in Belgium and will return to South Africa later this month.