South Africa national team head coach Hugo Broos has issued an apology for his word of choice after doubling down on comments he made in a presser over standards off football in the country.
Broos took a swipe on the quality of South African players saying they don’t have the ability to match continental powerhouses or world-class teams before stating that the competitive level of the Premier Soccer League is worrying.
Amid backlash for his comments, the Belgian coach has apologized to South Africans and Bafana Bafana supporters across the globe, saying his intention was not to come across as disrespectful.
“I want to apologize if my declaration in the press conference last Tuesday was disrespectful against this nation. This was not my intention, certainly not,” the coach told SAFA leadership and its members during the extra-ordinary congress on Saturday.
“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.”
Broos comments had left tongues wagging with many South Africans questioning the gaffer intelligence in handling the Bafana Bafana as others called for his sacking.
However, the 70-year-old gaffer says he is determined to take the Bafana Bafana to the next year’s Africa Cup of Nations and work hard towards 2026World Cup qualification.
“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,” said 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.”
Broos was appointed as South Africa national team head coach in May 2021 replacing Molefi Ntseki who was shown the door following Bafana failure to qualify for 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.
It’s worth noting that Bafana have also found it hard to qualify for the World Cup since 2002, having also participated at the 2010 edition as hosts.
