Hugo Broos continues to prove his staying power at the helm of Bafana Bafana, cementing his status as the longest-serving senior national team coach in recent history. The Belgian tactician, who led the national team to an impressive third-place finish at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), remains focused as he prepares his squad for their next challenge — a friendly clash against southern African neighbours Mozambique.
The match, set to take place at the Peter Mokaba Stadium, is more than just another outing for Bafana. It’s a chance for Broos to further refine his squad, build cohesion, and maintain the competitive edge needed as South Africa looks ahead to the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers and the next edition of AFCON.
Since taking over the reins in 2021, Broos has been a firm believer in long-term planning and player development. He has boldly trusted in younger talents, giving them valuable international exposure, while also maintaining a core of experienced campaigners to guide the team. His results, though not always glamorous, have shown steady progress — most notably the AFCON bronze medal that broke years of major tournament disappointment for South African football fans.
Speaking ahead of the Mozambique game, Broos emphasized the importance of building on the momentum from recent performances. “Every match we play is another opportunity to grow. We must not lose sight of our goals. Mozambique will be a tough opponent, but it’s the kind of test we need.”
With Bafana Bafana showing resilience and ambition under Broos, fans and analysts alike are starting to view the Belgian as a steadying figure in a national team that has too often been plagued by inconsistency and turnover in leadership.
As the team lines up against Mozambique, the spotlight will once again fall on the man at the helm — the coach who, despite early criticism and challenges, has turned Bafana Bafana into a more disciplined, competitive, and confident outfit. Indeed, for now and perhaps for a while longer, Broos is boss.
