Hugo Broos says South Africa have restored their reputation in African football after Bafana Bafana sealed qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a 3–0 win over Rwanda.

The Belgian coach reflected on how far his side have come since his appointment in 2021. “Someone told me after the game that people used to laugh at Bafana Bafana. We were a joke. Now we’re respected. Everyone knows that when you play South Africa, it won’t be easy anymore.”

Broos credited the transformation to the collective effort and consistency within the setup. “This is not my work alone. It’s the work of my staff, my players, the medical team, everyone. We stuck to the plan for three years and now we are reaping the rewards.”

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The 72-year-old said qualification was about more than just football. “This nation needed this. We needed to be seen differently, to judge players on performance and mentality, not just reputation. Now we have a group of winners.”

Broos highlighted how South Africa’s progress had been built on a change in mindset rather than wholesale changes in personnel. “Age doesn’t matter. It’s about talent and mentality. The young players have both. Every time we changed, it was the right choice. The future looks very bright for South African football.”

He also hinted that the 2026 World Cup could mark the conclusion of his career. “It will be the right moment next year, after the World Cup, to stop my career and enjoy time with my family,” he said. “But first, there’s work to do. We’ll try to do it well.”

Photo: Dirk Kotze/Gallo Images