Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos, reacts during a press conference ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 match between Canada and South Africa at Los Angeles Stadium on June 27, 2026 in Inglewood, California. Photo: Harry How/Getty Images.
JOHANNESBURG - The South African Football Association has dismissed reports that Hugo Broos has left his position as Bafana Bafana head coach.
As early as last year, Broos had announced his decision to retire after the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Belgian is the longest-serving Bafana Bafana coach in history.
He took over the reins in June 2021, running a highly successful five-year tenure that culminated in South Africa famously reaching the FIFA World Cup knockout stages for the first time.
He also qualified Bafana for two successive Afcon tournaments, including a bronze medal at the 2023 competition in La Côte d'Ivoire.
READ: Broos sets Afcon goal for Bafana Bafana
Now SAFA said the 74-year-old coach is currently at home in Belgium and will return to South Africa later this month.
This directly contradicts claims that Broos confirmed his exit in an interview with Belgian publication Voetbalnieuws.
"Broos remains as the head coach of Bafana Bafana and reports claiming the contrary are completely false,"
"It is not the first time that the Belgian mentor is being linked to an exit shortly after the South African senior men’s national team has performed well at an international tournament.
"In March 2024, Broos was said to be joining the Tunisian national team a few weeks after Bafana Bafana had won bronze at the Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast."