Broos successor identified! ‘He’s already doing much of coaching at Bafana Bafana’

Bafana Bafana tactician Hugo Broos has been ticking all the right boxes for the national team since getting the mandate to coach them.

In the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, he led South Africa to a third-place finish in the competition held in Ivory Coast. The hosts won the biennial competition after beating the Super Eagles of Nigeria in the final.

Broos has helped Mzansi to qualify for the 2025 AFCON that will be held in Morocco late in December, becoming the first coach to achieve that fete. As a matter of fact, the country might be among the teams to dine with the big boys in the 2026 FIFA World Cup to be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

It might be the last job for the 73-year-old Broos as Bafana Bafana coach; former Orlando Pirates defender Edward Motale has since suggested a replacement.

Who should take over from Broos?

“Helman [Mkhalele] is the right candidate. He is ready to step in; from what I see, he is already doing much of the coaching at Bafana Bafana. During matches, he is the one giving most of the instructions, and he understands the football language of the Bafana players. This is not to say that Broos lacks knowledge about the players he selects. As the head coach, he is familiar with them. Remember, he attends these games, and Helman is always by his side,” he told KickOff.

“Broos is a coach who pays close attention to every player who catches his eye. He doesn't call up a player just because he has appeared in the papers. Helman is ready. Remember, there was a time when Broos was unwell, and Helman won those games without him.

“He has always been prepared. Helman knows the game because he played football. In my opinion, there’s no need for SAFA to search far and wide when it comes time to replace Broos,” Motale concluded.