Modiba Pays Tribute To Broos After Bafana Departure
Bafana Bafana defender Aubrey Modiba has paid tribute to Hugo Broos following the Belgian’s departure, saying the veteran coach leaves behind a legacy that transformed South Africa’s national team.
The South African Football Association (SAFA) announced at a press conference last Friday that Broos would not continue as Bafana Bafana head coach, bringing an end to his tenure after more than five years in charge.
Appointed in May 2021, Broos leaves the role having restored Bafana Bafana’s standing on the international stage.
During his tenure, the Belgian guided South Africa to qualification for two consecutive Africa Cup of Nations tournaments. Bafana secured bronze medals after finishing third at the 2023 AFCON, before reaching the round of 16 at the 2025 edition.
Broos also played a key role in ending South Africa’s long wait to return to the FIFA World Cup. After missing the 2014, 2018 and 2022 tournaments, Bafana qualified for the 2026 finals, having last appeared on the global stage in 2010 when South Africa hosted the competition.
He then guided the national team to the knockout stages of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, marking the first time South Africa had progressed beyond the group stage at the tournament.
The 74-year-old, who was the oldest coach at the 2026 World Cup, also oversaw a significant rise in South Africa’s FIFA ranking, with the team climbing from 75th to 54th during his tenure.
Modiba, who flourished under Broos at international level, believes the coach deserves recognition for everything he achieved with Bafana Bafana.
“Personally, I just want to thank him for what he has done for me and, obviously, for the entire country, from finishing third at AFCON to making history at the World Cup,” Modiba said.
“I think he took us from 75th to 54th in the FIFA rankings. That’s a huge achievement and a significant milestone.
“I’m just grateful to him for giving me the opportunity to represent my country at those tournaments. I think he also went unbeaten for so many games.
“It shows that he served the country very well. I wish him all the best and hope he enjoys his time with his family and reaps the rewards of all his hard work. I hope he enjoys his retirement in Belgium.”
With Broos now gone, attention has shifted to finding his successor. Although no appointment has been made yet, Modiba believes whoever takes over should build on the solid foundation the Belgian has established.
“Those coaches who are shortlisted are the right ones to take us forward because they already know the foundation that he has laid,” he added.
“I believe in the people responsible for appointing the coach. They will make sure they appoint someone who can take us forward as a country because I believe we have the potential to win AFCON and qualify for major tournaments.
“They have also helped expose our football to the rest of the world. People know more about us now, they know more about our players, and more of our players can move abroad.”
SAFA said they will have an NEC meeting on Saturday to finalise the replacement of Broos.
The new Bafana Bafana coach will have little time to settle, with the 2027 AFCON qualifiers set to begin in September 2026 and run until March 2027.
South Africa has been drawn in Group D alongside Guinea, Eritrea, and Benni McCarthy’s Kenya, one of the three co-hosts of the 2027 tournament, as well as Uganda and Tanzania.
