THE DRIVER PARKS: HUGO BROOS BIDS FAREWELL AFTER 5 YEARS THAT REBUILT BAFANA BAFANA

SAFA now faces "huge challenge" to find successor as Broos becomes first Bafana coach in 32 years to finish full contract

Bafana Bafana Coach Hugo Broos has closed his five year chapter with SAFA on Friday....

By Mpho Dube, Editor-in-Chief

The Azanian | Truth. Fearless. Unfiltered.  

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Hugo Broos officially walks away from the Bafana Bafana dugout, closing a five-year chapter that took South Africa from uncertainty to consistency — and gave a new generation of players a jersey to believe in.

SAFA President Danny Jordaan paid tribute to the Belgian, calling his exit "a huge challenge" for the association as the search for a new coach begins.

“We want to thank him for the contribution that he has made,” Jordaan said. “It’s a huge challenge for us as we part ways and have to find a new driver. We’ve become used to qualifying for the African Cup of Nations now. Maintaining that progress is the priority.”

Broos leaves with a rare distinction: he is the first Bafana Bafana coach in 32 years to complete a full contract term.For Broos, the milestone is bittersweet. 

“I’m very proud and happy of what we achieved together,” he said. “On one side, I’m proud. On the other side, you have that sad part that I leave this team because I also made friends for life. I got big respect and gratitude from the people I worked with from all of South Africa.”

He said the decision to step down was not about football, but about family. The long stretches away from home finally outweighed the passion for the job.

When Broos arrived, Bafana was drifting. He leaves it with an identity: competitive, youthful, and expected to qualify. 

AFCON qualification has become the standard, not the dream. Young players were blooded and trusted on the international stage. The team was rebuilt around belief, discipline and results.

Jordaan acknowledged that legacy, saying Broos leaves "a strong foundation" for whoever takes over next.

With World Cup and AFCON qualifiers on the horizon, SAFA must now find what Jordaan called "the new driver" — a coach who can keep Bafana on the road Broos built.

For Broos, the journey in South Africa ends with gratitude. For Bafana, it ends with expectation.The driver is gone. The vehicle must keep moving.