The swift appointment of Pitso Mosimane following Hugo Broos’s departure gives Bafana Bafana a clear run to build for the future, and former South Africa international Quinton Fortune has some sage advice on where to start.
“Hugo Broos did such a good job, but there is one specific area where the next manager can improve,” Fortune told IOL in an exclusive interview, courtesy of Premier Bet.
Broos officially stepped down from his post on July 31 when his five-year-term with Bafana ended. Whereas the South African Football Association (SAFA) could have acted with decisive speed to appoint the next Bafana coach, more especially since they knew as early as December 2025 that the Belgian was retiring after the 2026 World Cup, that wasn’t the case.
The SAFA National Executive Committee only endorsed Mosimane as the favoured for the Bafana coaching position on August 8, and yet still there would be a standoff between his representatives and SAFA regarding his salary.
Broos leaves behind a celebrated legacy from his five years at the helm. He guided the national team to their first FIFA World Cup qualification since 2002—excluding their automatic berth as 2010 hosts—and led them into the tournament’s knockout stages for the first time in history. He also masterminded Bafana’s third-place finish at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, securing their best result at the tournament since 2000.
Hugo Broos’s Tenure: Missing the South African Football Psyche
Despite those milestones, Fortune believes there was one subtle element missing during Broos’s tenure.
“I was fortunate to cover the World Cup with Benni McCarthy and Aaron Mokoena, and we discussed how Hugo perhaps lacked a deep understanding of the South African football psyche—specifically, the need to let players express their innate flair,” Fortune explained.
“When I picture a South African footballer, I think of skill and natural ability first. You have to give them the confidence to express themselves, just like any top player in world football. At the same time, when you face international opposition, you must defend and attack as a unit. Every single player has to put a shift in—unless you’re Lionel Messi, but that’s a different story. Striking that balance between structure and freedom is the real challenge.”
Looking ahead, Fortune remains optimistic that Mosimane can elevate Bafana Bafana to even greater heights.
“I just want Bafana to succeed—not just to qualify for major tournaments, but to target quarter-finals, semi-finals, and beyond. Achieving that level of success will take meticulous planning.”
@Michael_Sherman
IOL Sport
