‘It’s non-achievers who say Broos must go’

Bafana Bafana legend Jomo Sono has come to the defence of coach Hugo Broos amidst the criticism leveled at the Belgian coach after South Africa’s early elimination from AFCON 2025.

South Africa were knocked out at the Round of 16 when they lost 2-1 to Cameroon and Broos has been blamed for not getting his team selection and tactics spot on.

However, Sono, a former Bafana Bafana player and coach, thinks the 73-year-old Belgian coach has covered himself in glory during his over four years in South Africa and should be left to do his job.

Hands off Broos, says Jomo Sono

“Can the so-called analysts leave Broos alone, please?” Sono said as quoted by Times Live. “It’s non-achievers who say Broos must go, people who’ve done nothing for South African football.”

On Bafana Bafana’s AFCON elimination, Sono says it is not Broos but the players to blame as the veteran coach has already proved that he is successful.

“Broos won the AFCON with Cameroon in 2017. He is a good coach. He qualified Bafana for the World Cup and AFCON,” added the Orlando Pirates legend.

“Yes, Bafana went out of the AFCON early, but that had to do with us failing to convert the three scoring chances against Cameroon,” he said, referring to the opportunities missed by Lyle Foster, Relebohile Mofokeng and Samukelo Kabini early in the game against Cameroon.

World Cup advice for Bafana Bafana

Mbekezeli Mbokazi Tylon Smith and Thalente Mbatha Bafana Bafana — Image – SAFA

Looking forward to the 2026 World Cup, the Jomo Cosmos owner has advised Bafana Bafana players and Broos to get over their AFCON disappointment and ensure they are ready for the tough time that awaits them in North America.

“It’s going to be tough. Our first match is against Mexico in Mexico. All our games are going to be tough, but we have a good team that can compete,” said Sono.

“They must just put the AFCON behind them and look to the future, which is the World Cup, in a completely different approach. We must regroup and look at where we can make adjustments.”

Bafana Bafana will face Mexico in the World Cup opener and also have a European team that will either be Denmark, Czech Republic, Republic of Ireland or North Macedonia as well as South Korea.