Broos’ Bafana blueprint deserves trust, not turmoil

COMMENT

It’s that time again — Hugo Broos has named a Bafana Bafana squad, and as always, the noise follows. From social media outrage to barbershop debates, the Belgian coach’s selections never seem to please everyone. 

Yet, as the national team prepares for Saturday’s friendly against Zambia in Gqeberha ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, perhaps it’s time South Africans took a step back and appreciated what Broos has achieved.

Since his appointment in 2021, Broos has had to fight battles that few foreign coaches could withstand in this country. He inherited a team low on confidence, plagued by inconsistency, and disconnected from its fan base. 

Names like Andile Jali were forced upon him by public demand, and his insistence on rebuilding the team his way was initially viewed as arrogance. But years later, that same stubbornness has translated into structure, identity, and results.

Yes, Broos has made mistakes — ones he’s been man enough to admit. His early stance on Themba Zwane, for instance, backfired, and he publicly acknowledged the error by recalling the Mamelodi Sundowns star.  But that humility, paired with his refusal to bow to external pressure, is exactly what separates him from his predecessors.

Bafana Bafana are no longer a soft touch. The team that finished third at the last AFCON in Ivory Coast showed a level of discipline and cohesion unseen in over a decade. 

Broos has built a group of players who understand their roles, who fight for each other, and who represent the jersey with pride. That’s not something achieved through popularity contests — it’s achieved through consistency.

The current squad reflects that same philosophy. Only two new faces — Orlando Pirates midfielder Masindi Nemtajela and Sekhukhune United’s Keletso Makgalwa — have been called up. 

That kind of continuity is crucial for a national team looking to peak at the right moment. 

Critics argue that Kaizer Chiefs players deserved inclusion based on recent form, but Broos’ approach isn’t about sentiment; it’s about system and reliability.

Let’s not forget that many of the core players in this squad — the likes of Ronwen Williams, Teboho Mokoena, Evidence Makgopa, and Oswin Appollis — have grown immensely under his guidance. 

Broos has turned Bafana into a well-drilled unit that competes, regardless of the opposition.

At a time when national pride in football has been rekindled, perhaps fans should show the same loyalty Broos has shown to his principles. 

The Belgian has earned the right to be trusted with his vision. After all, he’s delivered something South Africa had lost for far too long — belief. If the results are anything to go by, Hugo Broos doesn’t need defending. 

The record speaks for itself. All that’s left is for the country to back him — not bash him — because when Bafana are united behind their coach, they are capable of extraordinary things.