‘I am not racist’: Broos backtracks on Mbokazi statement

Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has issued a formal, public apology to young defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi, acknowledging that his previous strong comments regarding the player’s late arrival to the national team camp were poorly phrased.

The public outcry began after coach Broos voiced acute frustration regarding Mbokazi’s recent transfer from Orlando Pirates to MLS club Chicago Fire FC, a move immediately followed by the defender’s late arrival at the Bafana Bafana training camp. The squad is currently based at the University of Pretoria’s High Performance Centre, preparing for the demanding 2025 Africa Cup of Nations [AFCON] tournament.

The coach’s initial remarks immediately ignited a social and political storm. The reaction culminated in formal action being taken by the United Democratic Movement [UDM], which lodged an official complaint with the South African Human Rights Commission [SAHRC]. The political party alleges that the Bafana Bafana coach made “racist and sexist remarks,” demanding a thorough investigation into the matter.

Broos: Race And Guidance

Speaking at a press conference on Monday ahead of the friendly fixture against Ghana’s CHAN team, Broos addressed the controversy, stating firmly that he wanted to put the matter to rest.

“Before you ask, I want to say something about the previous statement, but as you may understand, I don’t want any questions about it afterwards,” Broos began, setting a firm tone.

He passionately defended his character, insisting his remarks were never intended to be “racist or sexist,” referencing his extensive career working with players across diverse cultures in Algeria, Cameroon, and South Africa.

“You can ask any of them, maybe some will say he is a bad coach, maybe some will say he’s a good coach, but no one would call me racist,” he stressed.

Wasting Talent

The core of Broos’s explanation centred on his concern for the 20-year-old’s potential career trajectory. He recalled immediately recognising Mbokazi’s talent upon his introduction at Pirates, which led to his selection for the national squad.

“As a young player, 20 years old, you need guidance from people who can prevent you from making the wrong decisions,” he stated.

The coach indicated that a previous sending-off against Zimbabwe had already raised concerns about a lack of sufficient guidance for the player. The late arrival to the crucial AFCON preparatory camp proved to be the final straw, fueling his anger—an anger compounded by what he called “strange stories” sent to him to justify the defender’s “unprofessionalism.”

“I saw that things could go wrong. It would be a waste if Mbokazi didn’t pursue the career he was blessed with because, due to a lack of proper guidance,” Broos explained.

The Apology Broos Regarding Mbokazi

While maintaining the necessity of his concern for the young player, the coach ultimately conceded that his choice of language was inappropriate.

“I agree that my choice of words was not right and I want to apologise for that. But I never, I repeat, I never wanted to make a racist or sexist comment. I’m neither a racist nor sexist. I thank you.”

Broos concluded his statement without taking further questions, making it clear that he viewed the apology as the definitive end of the discussion.