Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos, Rowen Williams and Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi listen attentively as Minister of Sport Gayton McKenzie welcomes the team at OR Tambo Airport on 2 July.
Image: BackpagePix
Bafana Bafana returned home to singing supporters, waving flags, and emotional scenes at OR Tambo International Airport on Thursday morning as attention quickly shifted towards the future of Hugo Broos.
Several South African players arrived wearing Mexican sombreros following their month-long Fifa World Cup adventure in North America, while rafters inside the airport broke into iGwijo songs as supporters welcomed the national team back home.
The festive scenes reflected a country once again emotionally connected to Bafana after their historic run to the knockout stages of the World Cup.
But amid the celebrations, uncertainty around Broos’ future immediately emerged as one of the biggest talking points.
South African Football Association (Safa) president Danny Jordaan confirmed the governing body now plans to hold discussions with the veteran Belgian coach regarding what comes next for the national team.
“We need to talk to Hugo Broos, and we will let you know after that conversation,” Jordaan told journalists during the official welcome event.
The 74-year-old had stated long before the tournament that the World Cup would likely bring his coaching career to an end. However, after South Africa progressed beyond the group stages for the first time in history, Broos appeared less certain about walking away immediately.
Following the narrow Round of 32 defeat to Canada in Los Angeles, the Belgian admitted he did not want to make emotional decisions regarding his future.
That uncertainty has now opened the possibility of Broos remaining in charge at least until next year’s Africa Cup of Nations, with qualifiers for the tournament in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania beginning in September.
Reports have already linked former Bafana, Mamelodi Sundowns, and Al Ahly coach Pitso Mosimane with the role should it become vacant.
Pressed further on the nature of Safa’s upcoming discussions with Broos, Jordaan remained guarded.
“The conversation is confidential, a private one. Let us speak and then we’ll tell you. We can’t tell you before,” he said.
Jordaan, seated alongside Broos and captain Ronwen Williams, thanked the squad for restoring pride around the national team during their World Cup campaign.
“We are very happy and thank you very much for your contributions,” Jordaan said.
“Now that we’re back home, we’re going to evaluate our performance in the tournament. We’ll talk about it and we’ll tell you of the next phase in South African football.
“We are hopeful we will continue on this upward trend.”
Bafana exceeded expectations throughout the tournament.
After opening with a disappointing defeat to co-hosts Mexico, South Africa recovered impressively with a draw against the Czech Republic before securing a famous victory over South Korea to reach the knockout stages.
Their campaign eventually ended heartbreakingly against Canada after Stephen Eustáquio scored a dramatic stoppage-time winner in Los Angeles.
Yet despite the elimination, the reception at OR Tambo made one thing unmistakably clear.
For the first time in many years, South Africans once again feel proud of their national team.
Much of that transformation has happened under Broos.
South African Football Association president Danny Jordaan, sitting with Broos and captain Ronwen Williams, expressed gratitude to the team for reigniting pride in the national squad during their World Cup run.
Image: BackpagePix
Since taking charge, the Belgian has guided Bafana to an Afcon bronze medal, restored discipline within the squad, and secured South Africa’s first World Cup qualification in 16 years.
Now the biggest question facing Safa is whether the man who rebuilt Bafana is truly ready to walk away from it all just yet.