Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has changed the culture in the national team.
Image: Itumeleng English | Independent Newspapers
Kudos to Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos. He has shown those who came before him how it should be done, and hopefully those who succeed him how it must be carried forward.
Resplendent in a navy suit and light-blue shirt under the bright lights of the SABC studios in Johannesburg this week, Broos held court. He was like a favourite uncle, sharing pearls of wisdom with clarity and conviction, leaving no stone unturned.
While most – if not all – of what Broos said was on point, his stance on discipline and merit-based selection stood out. For him, being eligible to represent the South African national team is not enough; players must also meet the required standards off the pitch.
Once again, Broos cracked the whip on ill-disciplined players, omitting them from the final squad announced at the national broadcaster’s offices just after noon on Thursday. While he refused to name and shame, the message was clear.
Broos explained that players who failed to return to the national team after AFCON – a period clouded by attitude and disciplinary concerns – must reflect and take responsibility.
Notably, those left out included Sipho Chaine, Sipho Mbule, Mohau Nkota, Siyabonga Ngezana and Elias Mokwana. Broos clarified that Nkota and Ngezana were unavailable due to injury and compassionate leave, respectively.
It was on Chaine and Mbule where Broos was more guarded, at times refusing to elaborate. But the underlying message was evident.
Mbule has struggled for consistent game time at Orlando Pirates, with reports suggesting disciplinary issues behind the scenes. For those who have followed his journey since his days at SuperSport United, such concerns are not new.
Nicknamed “MasterChef”, Mbule has dazzled with his talent, but his off-field conduct has often undermined his progress, leading to issues at clubs including Mamelodi Sundowns and Sekhukhune United.
Despite strong backing to revive his career at Pirates, it appears those concerns persist – something Broos and his assistant Helman Mkhalele are unwilling to overlook.
Chaine, meanwhile, has faced criticism on social media, with accusations of arrogance following his rise as Pirates’ first-choice goalkeeper. Incidents such as failing to acknowledge supporters or reacting poorly to teammates’ mistakes have not gone unnoticed.
That kind of behaviour does not align with Broos’ vision. The Belgian prides himself on building a united, disciplined and respectful dressing room, where character matters as much as talent.
Broos’ decision to call up Ime Okon has also drawn scrutiny, with some questioning his national identity despite his South African roots.
Such criticism is unfounded. Okon, born in South Africa to a South African mother and Nigerian father, meets all eligibility requirements. The narrative questioning his place reflects misplaced sentiment, often fuelled by rivalry rather than fact.
To his credit, Broos remains unmoved by outside noise. He sticks firmly to his principles. Whether it is leaving out an in-form goalkeeper like Chaine, a gifted talent like Mbule, or backing a player like Okon, he applies the same standard across the board.
There is much to learn from his leadership. Broos has brought integrity, structure and accountability back to Bafana – qualities that were once absent.
Long may Broos' vision endure, even after he is gone.
* Mihlali Baleka is Independent Media's senior football reporter and a panelist on the group's soccer podcast, The D-Line, which is exclusive on our YouTube channel The Clutch