The South African Football Association (SAFA) has extended its congratulations to coach Hugo Broos for reaching the milestone of 50 matches in charge of the national team ahead of the upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). However, a significant error in their announcement has raised eyebrows, as the association mistakenly attributed a friendly victory over Uganda on June 10, 2021, to Broos, when in fact, assistant coach Helman Mkhalele was leading the team that day.
Broos was not present in South Africa during that match, having returned to Belgium for a COVID-19 vaccination, which raises the question of whether a coach can be deemed in charge when not physically present at the game. The victory over Uganda, which ended in a 3-2 scoreline, featured two goals from Evidence Makgopa and another from Bongokuhle Hlongwane.
Consequently, the first match that officially counts towards Broos’s record was the goalless draw against Zimbabwe in a 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier in September 2021. As such, his true 50th match in charge will take place against Egypt in Agadir on Boxing Day.
Over Broos’s tenure, Bafana Bafana has participated in 48 matches under his direction, achieving 24 wins, 19 draws, and five losses. This includes various competitions like the COSAFA Cup and African Nations Championship (CHAN), during which he was not always at the helm, with four other coaches intermittently taking charge.
Despite these discrepancies, Broos currently enjoys a commendable record, including a 20-game unbeaten streak in competitive fixtures since the AFCON 2023 opening loss to Mali. In competitive matches alone, he has overseen 33 games, winning 18, drawing 11, and losing only four times.
This episode serves as a reminder of the challenges and complexities surrounding coaching roles, particularly in national teams, where collaborative efforts among various coaches are essential for success. As Bafana Bafana prepares for upcoming fixtures, the focus will likely remain on strengthening team dynamics and improving performance on the international stage.