Jordaan Confirms Broos’ Departure As Bafana Head Coach

South African Football Association (SAFA) president Danny Jordaan has confirmed to Sportswire that Hugo Broos will step down as Bafana Bafana head coach.

Broos’ contract with the association officially expires on Friday. The Belgian tactician joined SAFA in May 2021 as the successor to Molefi Ntseki, taking charge at a time when Bafana Bafana were in the doldrums following their failure to qualify for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Despite initial skepticism, Broos promised in his first press conference that Bafana Bafana would return to AFCON. He delivered on that promise in emphatic fashion, guiding South Africa to a bronze medal finish at the 2023 AFCON in Ivory Coast—defeating DR Congo on penalties after a heartbreaking shootout loss to Nigeria in the semi-finals.

It marked Bafana’s first AFCON podium finish since 2000 under former coach Trott Moloto.

His success continued into World Cup qualification, as Bafana Bafana topped a competitive group featuring Nigeria, Benin, Rwanda, Lesotho, and Zimbabwe to secure their spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in October.

At the subsequent AFCON, Bafana reached the Round of 16 before falling to Cameroon—the nation Broos previously led to continental glory in 2017.

At the 2026 FIFA World Cup, South Africa endured a shaky start with a 2-0 loss to Mexico at the iconic Estadio Azteca. Under immense pressure, Bafana bounced back to secure a 1-1 draw against Czechia, courtesy of a Teboho Mokoena penalty, before making history with a 1-0 win over South Korea thanks to a Thapelo Maseko winner.

The victory sent South Africa into the World Cup knockout stages for the first time in the country’s history.

However, Bafana’s World Cup dream ended in heartbreak with a dramatic late goal sealing a defeat to co-hosts Canada in the Round of 32—a match that proved to be Broos’ final game in charge.

As the 74-year-old departs for Belgium, he leaves behind a legacy as one of Bafana Bafana’s most successful head coaches, standing alongside the late Clive Barker, who won AFCON in 1996.

Across his tenure, Broos managed 60 matches in all competitions, recording 29 wins, 19 draws, and 12 defeats.