Linda Ximba
The South African Football Association (Safa) has dismissed fears that new Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos will not return to the country.
The Belgian is yet to take charge since he was unveiled as the Bafana Bafana manager on 5 May. The 69-year-old tactician returned home for his second Covid-19 vaccination and has since missed Bafana’s friendly against Uganda last month and the recently-concluded Cosafa Cup competition which was won by the hosts in Gqeberha.
Safa CEO Tebogo Motlanthe told Scrolla.Africa that there was nothing sinister about Broos’ absence. “No no, the coach is still very much part of us. Like we have indicated he’s back home for vaccination. We are in constant chat with him and he is set to return to South Africa next week.”
“His return is timely since we have the 2022 World Cup qualifiers coming up. He is impressed by the work done by Helman Mkhalele and the rest of the technical team in his absence.”
The Safa CEO added that the coach has not been paid yet due to not officially taking charge of the side. “He is yet to draw a salary. Once he returns then his contract with Safa will commence.”
Bafana Bafana are scheduled to face Zimbabwe away and will later host Ghana. Broos is expected to feature a number of players who performed well in the Cosafa tournament.
These include the AmaZulu duo of goalkeeper Veli Mothwa and Sithembele Sithebe, newly signed Kaizer Chiefs left back Austin Dube and Ethan Brooks of TS Galaxy.
