Hugo Broos could reconsider his plan to step down as manager of South Africa's national team

n n

South Africa’s Belgian head coach Hugo Broos watches from the touchline during the 2026 World Cup Group A football match between South Africa and South Korea at the Monterrey Stadium in Guadalupe, Mexico, on June 24, 2026. (Photo by Yuri CORTEZ / AFP)

n

Hugo Broos could reverse his decision to quit as South Africa coach, the 74-year-old Belgian said after his side’s World Cup last-32 exit against Canada.

n

“It is not clever to make decisions when you are disappointed, so I will not do it here,” Broos said at his post-match press conference in Los Angeles.

n

Broos announced several months ago that he would quit football after a three-decade coaching career when South Africa were eliminated from the global showpiece.

n

“I want to spend more time with my wife, children and grandchildren,” he told AFP in a pre-World Cup interview.

n

But a South African Football Association insider hinted that Broos may now be having second thoughts about leaving.

n

“Hugo may continue as head coach or fill some other tole, such as scouting and watching South Africans playing in Europe,” said the source.

n

Broos has been credited with transforming South Africa from a team labelled a “joke” to qualifiers for the World Cup after a 16-year absence.

n

When he took charge in 2021, Bafana Bafana (The Boys) attracted less than 200 spectators to a goalless friendly match against Botswana in Johannesburg.

n

Before travelling to North America, South Africa hosted a warm-up match against Panama in Cape Town that drew a capacity 50,000 crowd.

n

Broos then masterminded a historic World Cup Group A win over South Korea last week to take South Africa to the knockout stage for the first time after first-round exits in their three previous appearances.

n

Broos said his team bowed out in Los Angeles on Sunday after failing to match the power and speed of co-hosts Canada, who won 1-0 thanks to a 92nd-minute winner by Stephen Eustaquio.

n

“I have said many times that modern football is more than just technique. There is power and speed, and we do not have it in our team yet. Canada had those qualities,” said Broos.

n

While South Africa return to Johannesburg, Canada will face the Netherlands or Morocco in Houston on Saturday in the round of 16.

n

The next challenge for South Africa will be 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying. They share Group D with co-hosts Kenya, Guinea and Eritrea.

n n