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Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos.
With all the speculation regarding Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos’s future in recent weeks, the Belgian mentor was non-committal in Durban on Thursday, saying he is fully focused on the upcoming FIFA World Cup in the Americas.
He had earlier announced that he would retire from coaching after the tournament.
The South African Football Association (SAFA) is trying to convince him to stay on beyond the World Cup, but Broos was non-committal about his future when asked about the latest developments.
“Let’s wait and see what will happen in 3 or 4 months, but if I stop, it has to be a beautiful end. So, we must perform well in the World Cup. We have worked hard in the last 5 years to qualify for the World Cup. So, I don’t have time to think, will I go or stay?”
Bafana will play two international friendlies against the Central Americans, Panama, in the next five days in Durban and Cape Town.
Adding more firepower to the camp! 💥 Bongokuhle Hlongwane is here as we finalize our preparations for Friday night under the lights against Panama. 🇿🇦⚽️#BafanaPride@adidasfootball @adidasza @rexona_sa @standardbanksa @10betza @freddyhirschsa @flysaa @honorza @castlelagersa… pic.twitter.com/W65Ne35iUx
— Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) March 26, 2026
Fans were not happy with the choice of opponent, but Broos says they were looking for a team with a similar profile as Mexico — Bafana’s opponent in the opening match of the World Cup.
“American football is unknown to us. We only know Mexico, but we were surprised to see the level of Panama, and they are 33rd in the rankings, but the purpose of the game is because of the first game against Mexico. And you can compare them with Panama with the style of play, so it was important for us to have them as opponents.”
Panama is ranked 33rd in the World and is also heading to the World Cup.
They aren’t just training; they’re preparing for war. 😤 Bafana Bafana is dialing up the intensity and leaving it all on the pitch ahead of Friday’s clash with Panama. The boys are locked in. Let’s go, Mzansi! 🇿🇦🔥⚽️ #BafanaPride@adidasfootball @adidasza @rexona_sa… pic.twitter.com/0kYCDpM4Pd
— Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) March 25, 2026
Bafana Bafana captain, Ronwen Williams, says they’ll have to be at their best to beat the Central Americans.
“They have lots of qualities sitting 33rd in the world, and we haven’t been above 50 in a very long time, and we know how difficult it is to be in the top 33. We have analysed them and watched their clips, and they don’t need lots of chances to punish you.”
RELATED VIDEO | Bafana ramp up World Cup preparations
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f96MY138iSk
