Hunt: SAFA Should Head-Hunt New Bafana Coach, Not Peruse CVs

Stellenbosch coach Gavin Hunt insists the South African Football Association (SAFA) must head-hunt the next Bafana Bafana head coach rather than sifting through applicant CVs.

Hunt’s comments follow the emotional departure of Hugo Broos, who stepped down after an illustrious five-year tenure that ended in tears during Friday’s press conference.

Broos, 74, leaves as Bafana’s longest-serving coach since his appointment in May 2021. Widely considered the national team’s most successful manager alongside 1996 AFCON winner Clive Barker, Broos guided South Africa to a bronze medal at the 2023 AFCON before steering them to the Round of 32 at the FIFA World Cup, where they narrowly fell to co-hosts Canada in the dying minutes.

The Belgian tactician confirmed the tournament was his final assignment in management, admitting he could not envisage remaining on the bench for the 2030 World Cup cycle.

With the position now vacant, Hunt—a four-time South African league champion with over 1,000 PSL matches under his belt—believes SAFA must proactively target top-tier leadership.

“Why should you apply? It should be a head-hunt. Exactly, exactly,” said Hunt, who was previously linked with the national team job following Shakes Mashaba’s exit in 2017.

SAFA President Danny Jordaan confirmed that the technical committee will present its recommendations to the National Executive Committee (NEC)—SAFA’s highest decision-making body—during a scheduled meeting this Saturday. If approved, an official announcement will follow.

However, Hunt expressed deep skepticism regarding the selection process and the makeup of the technical committee, an entity frequently criticized for past managerial appointments.

Information obtained by Sportswire reveals internal divisions within the committee: while some members favor appointing former national team coach Pitso Mosimane, others had lobbied for Broos to remain in charge.

This rift has reignited debate over the committee’s track record, particularly given past missteps such as the ill-fated appointment of Molefi Ntseki.

“It will depend on who they appoint,” Hunt added.

“That is the first thing: who are these people sitting there and making the appointment? I have been in three interviews myself, and I have seen the people conducting them—so good luck.”