With Hugo Broos confirming his retirement after the 2026 FIFA World Cup,
the South African Football Association (SAFA) faces a pivotal decision:
appoint another foreign tactician or finally place its trust in a local
successor to lead Bafana Bafana forward.
The debate is split into two distinct camps. One argues that to continue the
progress made under Broos, SAFA must look to Europe for another proven
coach. However, Broos himself has tipped his assistant, Bafana legend Helman
Mkhalele, as his ideal replacement—a significant endorsement for a local
candidate, albeit one who would need to upgrade his coaching qualifications.
A look at the historical data since South Africa’s readmission to
international football in 1992 reveals a stark pattern: foreign coaches have
struggled to achieve longevity. The late Clive Barker, the only coach to
deliver an Africa Cup of Nations title, remains the second-longest-serving
coach with a four-year tenure.
In contrast, the foreign coaches who followed have had notably brief spells:
- Philippe Troussier lasted only a few months after replacing Barker.
- Carlos Queiroz did not complete a full year in 2001.
- Stuart Baxter’s first spell lasted just over a year (2004-2005).
- Carlos Alberto Perreira was in charge for 15 months for a specific
World Cup project (2007-2008). - Joel Santana managed just over a year with mixed results.
- Stuart Baxter’s second stint (2017-2019) ended after a quarter-final
AFCON exit was deemed unsatisfactory.
This history stands in sharp relief to the tenures of local coaches like
Trott Moloto, Ephraim Mashaba, and Pitso Mosimane, who each managed the
national team for over two years. As Broos—the longest-serving coach in
Bafana history—prepares to depart, SAFA’s succession planning will force a
critical examination of what has truly worked for South African football.
