Bafana Bafana Broos

Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos. Image: @AugustusPiloo_ / Twitter

ICYMI: Why Hugo Broos delivered ‘unconditional apology’

Bafana Bafana boss Hugo Broos has effectively apologised for comments that were ‘disrespectful’ to South African football.

Bafana Bafana Broos

Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos. Image: @AugustusPiloo_ / Twitter

With Bafana Bafana currently progressing through their all-important 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers, Broos recently courted controversy when he launched into another tirade, which ranged from criticism of the PSL and Percy Tau, to hitting back at the comments made recently by Pitso Mosimane.

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“We don’t have those quality players that are playing in Europe. Let’s face the problem that the level of the PSL is not high enough,” he commented. “Percy Tau is one of the best players in South Africa but he can’t succeed in Al Ahly. This is not good.

“It’s time now to face the real problem. What is the real problem in South Africa? The real problem is that we don’t have those high-quality players,” added Broos.

“We don’t have those players like our three last opponents – Ghana, France, and Morocco. When you see those teams, Ghana – 90 percent of their players were from Europe.

“France, I don’t have to explain… Morocco, when you see their selection, there was only one player of the Champions League-winning team Wydad Casablanca, which was the goalkeeper – I think that says enough.”

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However, when addressing the SAFA leadership and its members during the extra-ordinary congress on Saturday, Broos has now sought to clarify and apologise for his comments, which were not well received across many sectors of local football.

“I want to apologise if my declaration in the press conference last Tuesday was disrespectful against this nation. This was not my intention, certainly not. I came here one year ago and the only thing I want is for SA football to become better. I think we are on the right way, but there is still a lot of work to do. I hope that this country will be with us to change some things, things that we have to change,” the coach explained, as quoted by SABC Sport.

“I will do everything, and even more than everything to qualify the team in September for Afcon next year. And I will do everything to be at the 2026 World Cup. I know the potential of this country…we can make it happen,” added Broos.

“But we need everybody in this country, not only me or SAFA – everybody who can help has to help us. I am sure we can succeed and bring South Africa to be present at every Afcon and take them to the 2026 World Cup.”

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The comments from Broos were met with a particular backlash from Sundowns senior coach Steve Komphela

“I do not dispute standards, there’s a lot to that as well but a national address needs to carry a particular tone,” Komphela wrote on his official Twitter page

“He is not only talking to his nation, but he is also reflecting his nation to other nations as well. He must address us as his nation and not some observer with no allegiance.

“National [team] coaches have a certain tone that penetrates deeper throughout the nation. I have never come across a national [team] coach with this tone.

“I have worked with a lot of top international coaches. They are great diplomats. They never insult the intelligence of their people,” the former Kaizer Chiefs head coach continued. 

“Our nation is addressed with so much carelessness and lack of tact. It is disrespectful and to some, it sounds like the ‘honest truth’ but to others, the tone is just as condescending.

“This coach has been insulting everyone as he wished and none of you members of the fourth estate saw this coming,” Komphela, who is the first Bafana captain, added. 

“Nothing wrong with voicing an opinion but please understand that this is a nation and not some cabal in a forest. Where’s intelligence in such reckless statements.

“Nothing wrong with the truth. My issue is the arrogant tone. [It is] almost condescending.”

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