Bafana Bafana: Broos warns Mosimane over major problem – ‘It will be a step back five years’

Former Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has sent a warning to his successor stating that South Africa risks clawing back all the gains if he is not careful.

Broos, who enjoyed a five-year tenure at the helm of Bafana Bafana, quit after the 2026 World Cup, having restored South Africa as a force in African football by reaching third place at the 2023 African Cup of Nations and qualifying for the 2025 edition.

He also guided South Africa to World Cup qualification for the first time since 2002 and made history by taking them to the knockout stages.

What is Broos’ message to Mosimane?

Broos says what brought him success was being strict not just with his players but also refusing external influence on his selection and fears that Pitso Mosimane, who has been chosen to succeed him, could fall into that trap.

“You know, South Africa still doesn’t have a coach. The main candidate is Pitso Mosimane, a successful South African manager,” Broos told Belgian outlet Nieuwsblad.

“However, they know that if he comes in, it will be a step back five years in time. Club owners and agents will be calling the coach to influence team selection. I threw all of them out. If one called, I’d tell them flatly: ‘I don’t talk with agents.'”

Bafana Bafana squad selection intrigues

It is a firm warning from Broos which also lifts the lid on what happens behind the scenes when it comes to selection of players to the national team.

Broos had to deal with a lot of criticism regarding his selection every time he named a squad with a number of teams not happy that some players who they felt deserved call-ups were overlooked.

It is an issue Mosimane, who will be coming back for a second stint as Bafana coach, will have to deal with and how he navigates it could also determine his level of success.