Former Cameroon and Barcelona midfielder Alex Song has praised Hugo
Broos for his transformative work in restoring South Africa’s national team,
Bafana Bafana, to its former stature on the continent.
Speaking at the CAF inter-club competition draws in Johannesburg, Song
reflected on Bafana’s journey from a period of struggle to now being
considered a formidable side once again. He credited the Belgian coach, with
whom he shares a Cameroonian football connection, for the remarkable
turnaround.
“Bafana Bafana, the way I have in my mind, was not doing very good. You have
to congratulate Hugo Broos. He is doing a very good job,” Song stated.
The former midfielder fondly recalled the iconic South African teams of the
past that inspired him as a young player. “When I was young, I was watching
them playing, like Benni McCarthy, John Moshoeu… all those guys. I was
dreaming when I was seeing Bafana Bafana playing.”
He expressed his delight at the team’s recent resurgence, noting that their
success benefits the entire continent. “And then, they go down and now they
come back. We are happy because Bafana Bafana is one of the big nations of
our continent… I am glad because you guys go to the World Cup and it’s
been a long time.”
Under Broos, Bafana Bafana has indeed seen a dramatic revival. The coach has
led the team to qualify for two AFCON tournaments and, most significantly,
secured 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification—the nation’s first since 2002.
Their bronze medal finish at the 2024 AFCON was their best performance in
the competition in 24 years.
As Broos prepares to announce his squad for a friendly against Zambia, the
sentiment echoed by Song is clear: Bafana Bafana is no longer a “laughing
stock” but a respected force, with the continent taking notice of its return
to prominence.
