Former Bafana Bafana World Cup Player Points Out Major Weakness in Hugo Broos
- Former South African international has opened up on the only weakness of Hugo Broos after the Belgian qualified Bafana Bafana for the 2026 World Cup
- The former Bafana Bafana star pointed out some of the flaws in the South African national team's head coach
- South Africans on social media also reacted to the ex-international's revelation on Broos' weakness
Former Bafana Bafana defender Matthew Booth has praised coach Hugo Broos for leading South Africa back to the FIFA World Cup, but believes there is still room for improvement.
Source: Getty Images
South Africa have qualified for the global showpiece for the first time since hosting it in 2010. Their last successful qualification campaign came in 2002 under Carlos Queiroz, who, however, did not accompany the team to the tournament.
Broos now joins an elite group of coaches to have guided South Africa to the World Cup, following the late Clive Barker (France 1998) and Queiroz (Korea/Japan 2002).
In each of their previous appearances at the World Cup, Bafana Bafana have failed to progress beyond the group stages, a record Broos will aim to rewrite if he remains in charge for the 2026 edition in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
Booth identifies Broos' weakness
Booth identified one area where he believes the Belgian coach can improve, his approach to monitoring South African players abroad.
He noted that Broos has not paid enough attention to overseas-based players since taking charge of Bafana Bafana and stressed the importance of scouting them regularly.
Booth explained that the Belgian coach should travel to watch these players in action and reassure them that they are being monitored. He added that while the current squad has earned its place after working hard to qualify for the World Cup, Broos should still maintain inclusivity by broadening his selection pool.
With Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns players currently forming the core of the national team, Booth acknowledged that Broos might justify his reliance on local stars by pointing to their success against sides filled with Europe-based players.
Source: Getty Images
As Broos prepares to retire after the 2026 World Cup, having already endorsed his assistant Helman Mkhalele as his successor, Booth expressed his hopes that the next coach will take a more inclusive approach, travelling to Europe regularly, attending PSL games, and expanding the scouting network to strengthen future Bafana Bafana squads.
Here is what fans are saying about Booth's submission about Hugo Broos
Masilo Jackson Willem wrote:
"The only intresring thing anout booth is when fans says boooooth every time he touches the ball. Other than that. Nothing at all."
Makasela Makasela Makasela said:
"Matthew Booth took Bafana Bafana to nothing 🤞🤞stop acting like you were the best defender 🤞🤞."
Thabo Ramokanate reacted:
"Bafana Bafana go to the world cup with "polarized" fans because of this man....its a very serious issue that need to be addressed before even the Afcon....."
Thando Saki Booi shared:
"Hay hay booth we don't need them."
Levy Kekana added:
"To be honest this was the easiest path to qualify... remember Fifa increased African spot from 5 to 9 or possible 10... previously topping your group wasn't enough,, you had to play knockout games to qualify and the opposition weren't Lesotho and Zimbabwe..."
Jordaan speaks on Bafana's point deduction
Briefly News also reported that SAFA president Danny Jordaan commented on Bafana Bafana's points deduction during the World Cup qualifiers.
There have been calls from the public that those involved in the issue should be sanctioned by SAFA.
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Source: Briefly News
