“They Will Go Back 5 Years”: Broos Fires Parting Shot Over Mosimane
Former Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos believes South African football will take a step backward if SAFA appoints Pitso Mosimane, warning that Mosimane risks being influenced by player agents — something Broos consistently resisted during his five-year tenure.
Speaking to Het Nieuwsblad in his native Belgium, Broos reflected on his departure after stepping down following the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America. Following his exit, Mosimane was approved by the SAFA National Executive Committee to take over, though negotiations have hit a deadlock over salary expectations and technical team composition.
“Maybe yes. You know, South Africa still doesn’t have a coach. The candidate is Pitso Mosimane, a successful South African coach,” Broos said.
“However, they know that when he comes, they will go back five years. Club owners and agents who call coaches to influence the selection. I threw them all out. If one called, I would say flatly: ‘I don’t talk to agents.’”
Reflecting on his decision to step away, Broos admitted to having second thoughts prior to South Africa’s Round of 32 match against Canada, briefly considering a less demanding advisory role to protect his support staff.
“I had underestimated that. The closer the end came, the more people asked me not to stop,” Broos said.
“People have now lost their jobs because I no longer continue. My driver, for example — in South Africa, they are cowboys on the road. So did my assistant coach, Helman Mkhalele.
“He didn’t want to stay without me. A popular former international, by the way. ‘Midnight Express’ was his nickname as a player.”
He continued: “Because of his very dark skin colour and his speed. My wife knows Helman and also had compassion. ‘If you can stay another year in a different role, with Helman as coach, then do it.’
“The president even said: ‘We understand that you miss your family. Write down when you want to come.’ So, I only considered coming to South Africa a week before the match. Which meant that I could stay in Belgium from November to mid-March.
“But I couldn’t do that. I was ashamed to suggest that. In that week that I was there to handle everything, I changed my mind at least ten times. Until I said to myself: ‘It’s bad for those people, but it has to be over at some point.’
“It was quiet for a long time when I announced my decision to the chairman.”
