Extra Time: The Hugo Broos resignation scandal may well affect the team’s preparation for the 2026 Fifa World Cup, argues Michael Madyira.
Bafana Bafana, who came third in the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) tournament, have exceeded expectations and proved many people wrong since the beginning of the year.
Their newfound confidence is something to build on ahead of the demanding 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifiers.
But in recent weeks, there have been upsetting remarks coming from coach Hugo Broos.
The Belgian national recently revealed that he nearly quit Bafana soon after guiding them to the 2023 Afcon bronze medal.
He listed genuine reasons that almost pushed him out, which include his intention to be close to his family in Belgium, lack of cooperation from the PSL and the stinging criticism he has had to endure from fans.
Broos signed off by saying he will not hesitate to quit if he continues to receive unnecessary criticism or if the PSL keeps on giving him a cold shoulder.
Then he somersaulted and insisted he was here to stay.
While it is Broos’s right to jump ship whenever he feels the environment is not right for him to thrive in his work, his statement about quitting never needed to be said in public.
One is left asking why he publicly made remarks that sound like thinly veiled threats that could rock the Bafana boat and put to waste all the tremendous gains of the last two months.
Is it a coincidence that Broos’s words that he was about to quit came at a time when he had opened talks with the Belgian team Club Brugge?
Reports from his home country suggest Club Brugge want him in the role of technical director and that several discussions took place.
With Broos not being shy to say he can easily walk away reminds me of when he nearly quit Bafana following a 2-2 draw with Liberia in March last year.
He also revealed that he almost threw in the towel in the aftermath of the 5-0 annihilation by France in March 2022 as well as the 2-1 away defeat to Morocco three months later.
This is a man who looks like his bags are always packed. Can he be trusted going forward?
Bafana need him right now for continuity’s sake after an impressive Afcon outing and he can’t dump the team midway through their Fifa World Cup campaign which might leave Safa stranded.
Pictured above: Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos.
Image source: Bafana Bafana
