Bafana coach Hugo Broos considers retirement U-turn: ‘Maybe we can find something in SA’

Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos declared at the Los Angeles Stadium on Saturday that he is considering extending his time in South Africa beyond the World Cup.

The Belgian was emphatic before leaving Mzansi that this year’s showpiece, 40 years after he participated in the 1986 World Cup as a player, would be his last involvement in football.

However, Broos is having second thoughts after leading Bafana to the knockout stage of the World Cup for the first time in the country’s history, to set up a date with Canada in the round of 32 on Sunday night.

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In Los Angeles

Hugo Broos is considering extending his stay in South Africa beyond the 2026 FIFA World Cup, in a role that might not necessarily be his current position of Bafana Bafana head coach.

The 74-year-old’s five-year contract as head coach of Bafana expires at the end of the global showpiece, where the team has made history by reaching the knockout stage for the first time in the country’s history.

Broos cited his age and desire to be closer to his family in Belgium for retiring from football after the 2026 edition, which is being co-hosted by Mexico, the United States of America and Canada.

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The tournament offered the coach a perfect full-circle moment, ending his tenure in part in Mexico, where he had participated as a player in Belgium colours during the 1986 World Cup.

However, Broos has been dropping hints since arriving in Mexico that he might continue to be involved in the national team set-up in some capacity, if there is a desire to keep him from the South African Football Association (SAFA).

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The team’s historic run at the global showpiece has re-energised Broos, who dropped hints in Los Angeles on Saturday and openly declared that he is seriously considering extending his stay in Mzansi.

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Broos’ family has been following the action on TV, unlike last year in Morocco, when they found time to join him at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon).

His family will stay up late on Sunday night, following Bafana in their round-of-32 clash with Canada.

“You know, family is very important,” Broos said. “But this World Cup started on 11 June.

“There’s still school (ongoing) in Belgium, (in fact, it’s time for) exams. Parents can’t take their children (my grandchildren) out of school and bring them to the games at the World Cup.

“If it would have been possible, they would have been here. But, regularly, I talk with them. They send me WhatsApp clips of the moments of them watching the game, and celebrating – like they did on Wednesday against South Korea.”

That game was one of the highlights of Broos’ tenure as a coach. Bafana’s 1-0 win took the team to their first appearance in the World Cup’s knockout stage.

Even though Broos’ family isn’t close to him in the Americas, technology has closed the thousands of kilometres separating them.

“That is very nice for me. I miss my family,” he said. “I spend most of my time in South Africa.

“That’s also one of the reasons why maybe, maybe, I will stop after the World Cup because I miss my grandchildren too much and I don’t see them growing up.

“I am 74. So, I think it’s time. But, you know, when those clips are coming, and I am watching them on my own in my room, it’s fantastic. It makes me enormously happy.

“It also gives me energy to go on because a few days ago after the game against South Korea (when it was confirmed that Bafana Bafana would be playing in the round of 32), I had a call with my wife and she said, ‘Okay, you can stay another week. No problem!’

“That gives me a lot of courage, and I am very happy.”

Broos was pushed on what he means when he said, maybe, he might leave after the World Cup having previously made it clear that he will be retiring from football after the tournament.

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“Months ago, I said that this has to finish now, I am 74,” he said.

“I was 19 when I signed my first professional contract as a player. I am now 74. That’s 55 years in professional football. This has to be the end.

“But, the closer the end comes, the more you start thinking about it. So, we will see.

“I don’t know, for the moment, what is going to happen. I am still sticking to my original decision. But, on the other hand, I didn’t say that my decision to stop is so that I can go home, sit on my couch and drink coffee.

“I still have too much energy. Maybe, maybe, we can find something in South Africa where I have to spend less time there, but I can contribute while also spending time with my family. We will see if it’s possible.”

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SAFA has started their search for Broos’ replacement. Those close to proceedings have suggested that the association might bring back Pitso Mosimane to lead the side.

The next coach will have to hit the ground running as the qualifiers for the 2027 Afcon will run from September until November this year. Bafana are in an awkward group that features the tournament’s co-hosts, Kenya, along with Eritrea and Guinea.

Only one slot is available to qualify from this group since Harambee Stars have already booked their places as hosts.

This could influence the association to proceed with Broos until the end of the year, with the 2027 Afcon set to be played in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania in June-July next year.

Broos, Bafana and the association’s main focus at the moment is on the date with Canada, where the team could continue making history by advancing to the round of 16 if they get the better of The Reds on Sunday.

“We can say already that the World Cup has been a success for us,” said Broos.

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“Everybody expected, and hoped, that we could be in the second round. We are in the second round.

“This is important. But it doesn’t mean that we are now happy and we will play the game tomorrow (Sunday) against Canada, and just go home. Once you are there in the knockout stage, you want more.

“We want to win the game. If we can show the same mentality and level that we displayed against South Korea, then we have a chance to win this match. Canada is a very tough team.

“We will have to be at our best level. But if we can continue achieving and go to the next round, I can say that that would really be a miracle for Bafana Bafana.”

Bafana’s match against Canada kicks off at 21:00 on Sunday.

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