South Africa coach Hugo Broos has explained why Bafana Bafana were eliminated from the FIFA World Cup, saying his side could not match the power and speed of Canada in their last-32 defeat.
This is as he also suggesting he may reconsider his decision to retire from coaching.
Speaking after South Africa’s 1-0 loss to co-hosts Canada in Los Angeles on Sunday, the 74-year-old Belgian admitted that physical qualities made the difference between the two teams.
“I have said many times that modern football is more than just technique. There is power and speed, and we do not have it in our team yet. Canada had those qualities,” said Broos in an AFP report.
South Africa’s World Cup campaign ended when Stephen Eustaquio scored a dramatic 92nd-minute winner to send Canada into the round of 16.
Broos had previously announced that he intended to step away from football after South Africa’s participation at the World Cup, bringing an end to a coaching career spanning more than three decades.
“I want to spend more time with my wife, children and grandchildren,” he told AFP in a pre-World Cup interview.
However, the veteran coach indicated after the defeat that he may not be ready to make a final decision on his future.
“It is not clever to make decisions when you are disappointed, so I will not do it here,” Broos said during his post-match press conference.
Reports from within the South African Football Association suggest Broos could yet remain involved with the national team.
A football association insider said: “Hugo may continue as head coach or fill some other role, such as scouting and watching South Africans playing in Europe.”
Broos has earned widespread praise for transforming South Africa’s fortunes since taking charge in 2021. Under his leadership, Bafana Bafana qualified for the World Cup for the first time in 16 years and reached the knockout stage for the first time in their history.
His tenure has also coincided with a resurgence in support for the national team. While fewer than 200 spectators attended a friendly against Botswana shortly after his appointment, a World Cup warm-up match against Panama in Cape Town attracted a capacity crowd of 50,000 fans.
The coach also guided South Africa to a landmark Group A victory over South Korea during the tournament, helping the team advance beyond the group stage for the first time after three previous first-round exits.
While South Africa head home following their elimination, Canada will face either the Netherlands or Morocco in the round of 16 in Houston.
The next assignment for South Africa will be the qualification campaign for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, where they have been drawn in Group D alongside Kenya, Guinea and Eritrea.
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