SAFA dismisses fresh speculation over Hugo Broos' Bafana Bafana future

Speculation emerged on Friday after several reports claimed the Belgian had decided to leave his position as head coach and was set to take up a different role within the national team setup.

However, SAFA has categorically denied the claims, insisting Broos remains in charge of the senior men's national team.

"Broos remains as the head coach of Bafana Bafana and reports claiming the contrary are completely false. It is not the first time that the Belgian mentor is being linked to an exit shortly after the South African senior men's national team has performed well at an international tournament," SAFA said in a statement on its official website.

The association also pointed to similar speculation that surfaced in 2024 following Bafana's third-place finish at the Africa Cup of Nations.

"In March 2024 Broos was said to be joining the Tunisian national team a few weeks after Bafana Bafana had won bronze at the Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast."

Broos recently guided South Africa to a historic campaign at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where Bafana Bafana reached the knockout stages for the first time after securing a 1-0 victory over South Korea in their final Group A match in Monterrey, Mexico.

SAFA confirmed that Broos returned from the tournament with the team before travelling to his home country of Belgium, where he is currently on leave. The 73-year-old is expected back in South Africa later this month.

Although Broos had previously indicated that the 2026 FIFA World Cup would likely be his final assignment as Bafana Bafana coach, SAFA's firm denial of the latest reports suggests the association is determined to retain his services.

With the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers scheduled to begin later this year, Broos is expected to continue leading South Africa as the national team looks to build on its recent success on the international stage.