“We don’t have that!” - Hugo Broos pinpoints massive drawback for Bafana Bafana progression

by Devesh Jaganath

image “We don’t have that!” - Hugo Broos pinpoints massive drawback for Bafana Bafana progression
The South African national football team suffered disappointment at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, having been eliminated by Cameroon in the Round of 16. Following their elimination, head coach Hugo Broos has revealed a major issue within his squad that could affect their chances of competing at major tournaments.

Broos reveals that Bafana need more overseas-based players 

The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations has reached its climax, with Egypt and Nigeria now set to contest the third-place Playoff in Casablanca on Saturday before Senegal and Morocco face off to be crowned kings of the continent in Rabat on Sunday night. Check out our AFCON 2025 predictions​​​​​​. 

South Africa took home the bronze medal in the Ivory Coast in the previous edition of the tournament, but their AFCON 2025 campaign ended in disappointment, as they bowed out of the competition in the Round of 16 to Cameroon.

After returning to Mzansi last week, head coach Hugo Broos faced the media, where he claimed that one of the major issues facing Bafana Bafana at present is a lack of players plying their trade overseas, with the majority of the squad made up of individuals from Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns. 

The Belgian tactician argued that too many Bafana players remain comfortable in South Africa rather than pushing themselves to greater heights in Europe and beyond, while adding that this limits their exposure to higher levels of pressure, which are vital at tournaments like the AFCON. He said: 

“There are teams at the Cup of Nations with players who play in Europe. We mostly don’t have them, and that is a disadvantage for South Africa. Cameroon is a brand-new team, and when you see where those players are playing, there’s a guy, the striker Christian Kofane, he’s playing for Bayer Leverkusen. He’s 19 years old.”

Broos also called out the Betway Premiership, claiming that it does not properly prepare players physically and tactically enough to compete consistently on bigger stages, while adding that talented players are not being challenged sufficiently to improve their decision-making in clutch situations.  

The 73-year-old’s comments received mixed responses, with some fans and pundits claiming that his complaints rang hollow, given his decision to overlook the likes of Bongokuhle Hlongwane and Olwethu Makhanya, both of whom are established players in the MLS.

 

Broos turns focus to Bafana Bafana’s 2026 World Cup campaign 

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If nothing else, the 2025 AFCON was a rude awakening for South Africa, as it showed the level required to compete against star-studded opponents, such as Morocco and Nigeria, whose squads are dripping with talent from some of the best clubs in the world. 

Indeed, Bafana Bafana have made huge strides in recent years, including finishing third at the 2023 AFCON and qualifying for the upcoming FIFA World Cup for the first time in 16 years, but based on their performance in Morocco, it’s difficult to see the team making much of an impact in North America later this year.

Broos has already explained that he will undertake a “detailed evaluation” of his team and their recent performances over the coming months. Many are hoping that the Belgian will adopt a more ruthless approach and move on from sentimental favourites for more promising youngsters and potential game-changers. 

Bafana Bafana have been drawn in a difficult group for the World Cup alongside co-hosts Mexico, South Korea and one of Denmark, the Czech Republic, the Republic of Ireland or North Macedonia. They will play in the opening match of the tournament against El Tricolor on June 11 in Mexico City.