Compiled by Dylan Bettencourt
- Aubrey Modiba says Hugo Broos has unfinished business with Bafana after changing the team’s mentality and belief.
- Broos has not confirmed his future, while Pitso Mosimane has been linked with the Bafana job after the World Cup.
Aubrey Modiba wants Hugo Broos to stay with Bafana Bafana.
The Belgian coach had said the 2026 Fifa World Cup would be his last job in football after six decades in the professional game.
But Broos has since stepped back from that statement. He has said he may continue working with Safa if they still want him, although it may not be as head coach.
Modiba wants him to stay in charge.
“I hope he stays. I hope he stays! He has unfinished business with the Afcon. So, I hope he stays,” said Modiba.
Broos is 74 and is the longest-serving coach in Bafana history.
He took over in 2021 after South Africa failed to qualify for that year’s Afcon. Bafana had finished third in a group with Ghana, Sudan and Sao Tome & Principe.
Since then, Broos has changed the team’s direction.
He led Bafana to third place at the 2023 Afcon, their first podium finish since 2000. He also helped South Africa qualify for a World Cup for the first time in 24 years.
At the 2026 World Cup, Bafana reached the knockout stage for the first time.
Their run ended on Sunday night when they lost 1-0 to Canada at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles in the round of 32.
Safa has been linked with Pitso Mosimane as a possible replacement if Broos leaves.
But Modiba said Broos has changed the belief inside the team.
“He has had a very positive impact on the team,” said Modiba.
“He has changed South African football, if we are being honest. We were not qualifying for these major tournaments consistently. He has changed that.”
Modiba said Bafana no longer fear big teams.
“We believe in ourselves, and we believe that we can match any team,” he said.
The next Afcon will be played in June and July next year in Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya.
Bafana are in a qualifying group with co-hosts Kenya, Eritrea and Guinea. With Kenya already qualified as hosts, only one qualifying place is available from the group.
Modiba said Bafana must learn from the World Cup.
“The lessons that we take from this tournament going forward is that when you make mistakes, they will punish you at this high level because of the quality that these teams possess,” he said.
He said Bafana must stop conceding early and switch on for the full match.
Bafana have young players coming through.
Broos started four players under 23 against Canada, including Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Ime Okon, Relebohile Mofokeng and Thapelo Maseko.
Olwethu Makhanya, Khulumani Ndamane and Samukele Kabini were also on the bench.
“I am very excited about the future of this team,” said Modiba.
“There are a lot of youngsters. They are playing and they are doing well. The likes of Mbokazi and Ime at the back, the future is bright. I am just happy for them.”
Pictured above: Audrey Modiba.
Image source: Audrey Modiba/Instagram
