Ex-Cameroon star Alex Song explains why South Africans ‘have to thank Hugo Broos’

Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has been hailed for restoring South Africa to the top of African football.

Broos has been in charge of South Africa in May 2021, just after a heartbreaking loss to Sudan that locked them out of that year’s Africa Cup of Nations, but few had belief in him reviving the fortunes of Bafana Bafana.

Despite leading Cameroon to the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations, South African fans were skeptical, terming him just another ‘madala’ (old man) but the then 69-year-old was unfazed and started the journey of restoring South Africa.

He has since led them to third place at AFCON 2023 and easily qualified for the 2025 edition while he ended South Africa’s long wait for a World Cup appearance, sealing qualification to the 2026 edition, for the first time since 2002.

Former Cameroon star on SA’s football woes

Former Cameroon midfielder Alex Song feels South Africa should be thankful to the 73-year-old for making them a force again after years of struggle and embarrassing results.  

Alex Song says credit needs to be given to Hugo Broos for reviving Bafana Bafana. 🇿🇦⚽️@BafanaBafana | @iDiskiTimes pic.twitter.com/QuitRSIqxX

— Lorenz Köhler (@Lorenz_KO) November 4, 2025

“I think we have to congratulate Broos because the way he’s doing. He did a good job in Cameroon and then he comes here to Bafana Bafana – that I remember were not doing very well, so we have to congratulate Hugo Broos,” Song told the media in Johanessburg after condutcing the CAF inter-club group stage draw.

“The way he’s done here… he’s doing a very good job. The Bafana of the past had very good players, some of the biggest history. When I was young, I watched them play, like Benni McCarthy, John Moshoeu, I was dreaming when I watched Bafana.

Song happy to see Bafana back on song

“And then they went down – nobody seeing them, nothing happening and now they come back, we’re happy because Bafana is one of the big national teams of our continent and the way they’re doing, I’m happy for them.

“I’m happy for our continent, you want the big teams to good, you guys hosted the World Cup, and it’s now been a long time, you know what’s happened. I’m sure everyone is behind the national team now. You have to thank Hugo Broos for that really.”

Broos has changed the culture and instilled discipline within the national time while selection is based on merit, relying on locally-based players who have been doing well against some of the continent’s top sides during his tenure.