Broos fires back at critics after guiding Bafana to World Cup

Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has delivered a defiant message to his doubters after inspiring South Africa to qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The Belgian tactician, who took charge in May 2021, has frequently faced criticism over his squad selections—from initially overlooking veterans like Themba Zwane to bypassing prolific strikers like Bradley Grobler and Tshegofatso Mabasa.

Despite leading the national team to a 2023 AFCON bronze medal, scrutiny over his decisions persisted.

And we have qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup!!!! Yeeeeeeessssssss!!!! Let that sink in!!!!!

South Africa 🇿🇦 ♥️!!!@SABC_Sport pic.twitter.com/d3NThOO8tc

— Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) October 14, 2025

Qualification Silences the Doubters For Broos

Broos’s persistence has now paid off spectacularly, with his side securing the Group C top spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers after turning in a dominant 3-0 victory over Rwanda at Mbombela Stadium on Tuesday. Orlando Pirates trio Thalente Mbatha, Oswin Appollis and Evidence Makgopa were all on the scoreboard.

Adding to the dramatic nature of the victory, Bafana Bafana sealed their World Cup place at the very stadium where, in 2011, they endured the notorious humiliation of celebrating a draw against Sierra Leone, mistakenly believing they had qualified for the AFCON. This landmark qualification—the first since 2002 secured outside of hosting duties—will be the crowning achievement that places coach Hugo Broos among the giants of South African football.

This achievement comes despite significant hurdles, including FIFA docking South Africa three crucial points earlier this year for fielding an ineligible player.

The coach wasted no time addressing those who scrutinised his choices and methods during his three years at the helm.

Broos on His Selection Strategy

“I know you did not always agree with the choices I made,” Broos told reporters after the historic victory. He outlined the core criteria that guided his selections, defending his refusal to bow to public pressure.

“For me, it’s important to have a player with quality, first of all, a player with the right mentality, secondly, and a player who can do what I ask him,” Broos stated.

He stressed that success requires adherence to a defined strategy, regardless of outside noise.

“Until now, I have always succeeded in doing it even when you thought that this one or that one needed a chance. It’s not like that, how you build a team, you need a plan and you need to keep that plan because you know this is the right way.”

Broos concluded by celebrating the achievement, noting the shift in the team’s public perception. “This is what we did in the last three years. This is fantastic, not only for us, the coach and the players, but for the whole nation. I heard someone say on the pitch after the game [against Rwanda] and everybody laughed that Bafana Bafana were a joke, but now we are on a high level and everybody respects us.”

Broos now holds the record as the longest-serving Bafana Bafana coach, surpassing the tenure of the late Clive Barker, the only man to lead South Africa to an AFCON title.