South Africa head coach Hugo Broos expressed disappointment but remained reflective after Bafana Bafana’s elimination from AFCON 2025, admitting that missed chances proved costly in their Round of 16 defeat.
Speaking after the match, the Belgian tactician — who previously coached Cameroon — felt his side made a positive start and had opportunities to change the outcome of the game.
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“We started very well in the game and we had chances to score. I think if we had scored, we could never lose the game,” Broos said.
“We even had chances to score two goals and get a draw, but it was not our day today.”
South Africa showed intent in the opening stages and fought back late in the match, but ultimately fell short as their AFCON campaign came to an end in the knockout phase. The defeat extended Bafana Bafana’s wait for another continental title, with their last AFCON triumph coming in 1996.
Broos’ comments highlighted the fine margins that define knockout football, where dominance or positive play does not always translate into victory. Despite the disappointment, the coach acknowledged his team’s effort and the moments that could have altered the course of the contest.
The former Cameroon coach, who famously led the Indomitable Lions to AFCON glory in 2017, will now turn his attention to rebuilding and preparing South Africa for future competitions, as Bafana Bafana look to convert promise into progress on the continental stage.
In May 2021, Broos was appointed as the head coach of Bafana Bafana. His first major tournament was the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, where South Africa placed third.
In 2025, Broos led the team to World Cup qualification, despite several hiccups along the way.
