Hugo Broos is buzzing with excitement as Bafana Bafana continue their bid for a spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Having already clinched qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, the Belgian coach is aiming to add another feather to his cap. South Africa’s impressive third-place finish at the 2023 AFCON showcased the team’s growth under Broos’s guidance.
While the controversial defeat to Ghana denied Bafana a place at the 2022 World Cup, the team has since made significant strides. Broos, who experienced the thrill of playing at the 1986 World Cup with Belgium, is eager to relive that magic on the world stage, this time as a coach.
Broos played at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico where Belgium made it to the semi-finals, only to lose to Diego Maradona’s Argentina, and ultimately ending in fourth place over all, following a third place play-off defeat to France.
Speaking after his side defeated South Sudan 3-0 at a sold-out Cape Town Stadium on Tuesday, the Bafana boss said: “There is a big chance we can qualify (for the World Cup).
“I was in the World Cup as a player. To end my career as a coach and be there (again) would be fantastic.
“But not only for me, also for the country who have been waiting so long for a World Cup and for the players. They did fantastic over the last three years. We had a difficult period (in the beginning), but if you see where we are now, South Africa are a very good team.”
South Africa last qualified for the 2002 World Cup in South Korea and played at the 2010 tournament as hosts.
Broos’ side currently have seven points from four World Cup qualifiers, tied with Benin and Rwanda.