Big milestone awaits Bafana coach Broos in AFCON opener

When Hugo Broos walks out of the tunnel at the Grand Stade de Marrakech on Monday night, he won’t just be kickstarting Bafana Bafana’s AFCON 2025 campaign—he will be walking into the record books.

The opening Group B clash against Angola marks Broos’ 50th match in charge of Bafana Bafana, cementing his status as the longest-serving and one of the most successful mentors in the nation’s history.

From Outsiders to Contenders

Appointed on May 5, 2021, the 73-year-old Belgian inherited a team ranked 75th in the world and struggling for identity. Fast forward four years, and the landscape of South African football has shifted. Under Broos, Bafana Bafana have climbed to 61st in the FIFA rankings, secured a bronze medal at AFCON 2024, and recently punched their ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

SAFA President Dr. Danny Jordaan led the tributes ahead of the milestone match: “Congratulations to coach Hugo for reaching this milestone. The team has made great strides under his guidance.”

A Record-Breaking Tenure For Broos Ahead of AFCON

In May 2025, Broos surpassed the late Clive Barker’s longevity record, having now spent well over four years at the helm. However, it is the statistics on the pitch that truly define his era. In his 49 matches to date, Broos has maintained a remarkably disciplined record:

Wins: 24

Draws: 19

Losses: 6

Goals Scored: 75

His tenure has been punctuated by high-scoring statements, including the 4-0 demolition of Namibia at the previous AFCON and a 5-0 hammering of Congo Brazzaville during the current qualifying cycle.

The Final Chapter?

Despite the celebrations, a sense of urgency surrounds the camp. Broos has signalled his intention to step down following the 2026 World Cup, making this AFCON a crucial piece of his parting legacy.

With a squad that has evolved from a developmental project into a “force to be reckoned with,” South Africa enters the tournament with a level of stability not seen since the mid-90s. The journey to a half-century of games began with a 3-2 victory over Uganda in June 2021; fans will be hoping the 50th match provides a similarly winning spark against Angola.

Match Details:

Fixture: South Africa vs. Angola (AFCON Group B)

Venue: Grand Stade de Marrakech

Kick-off: 19:00 (SA Time)