Hugo Broos: Bafana Bafana Head Coach Breaks Silence on Alleged Racist and Sexist Comments
- Hugo Broos has dropped comments concerning his recent remarks about Mbekezeli Mbokazi and his agent being tagged racist and sexist
- The Belgian coach shared his thoughts on the former Orlando Pirates star's move to Major League Soccer and also arriving at the Bafana Bafana camp late
- The explanation given by the Bafana Bafana coach trended on social media and garnered different views from South Africans
Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has finally responded to the allegations of racism and sexism that have surfaced following his contentious comments during a recent press briefing.
Source: Getty Images
On Saturday, the South African Football Association (SAFA) released an official response addressing the backlash that followed Broos’ critical remarks about defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi and his agent, Basia Michaels, made earlier that week in Pretoria.
The controversy erupted after Broos expressed his dissatisfaction with Mbokazi’s transfer from Orlando Pirates to MLS club Chicago Fire FC and the player’s late arrival at the national team’s training camp at the University of Pretoria’s High Performance Centre, where preparations are underway for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
His comments quickly drew public criticism, prompting formal political intervention. The United Democratic Movement (UDM) filed a complaint with the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC), alleging that Broos’ statements were both racist and sexist.
Broos responds to allegations of racism and sexism
In a statement, Broos distanced himself from the accusations, saying that it was unfortunate his strong rebuke of the player’s conduct and subsequent comments were misinterpreted as racism and sexism, and he emphasised that he rejects any such accusations.
“It is unfortunate that my strong rebuke of the player’s conduct and subsequent comments were misinterpreted as racism and sexism. I distance myself from any accusations of racism and sexism,” the former Cameroon national team coach said.
SAFA indicated that a "language difference may have prevented the coach’s frustrations from being fully or accurately expressed during the interview," which led to misinterpretations of his actual intentions.
The association emphasised that the remarks were not made with any discriminatory intent. According to SAFA, throughout Broos’s four-year tenure leading Bafana Bafana, “no players or staff members have ever reported concerns regarding racism, sexism, or any form of discrimination.”
Source: Getty Images
SAFA explained that the comment about the agent aimed to highlight the need for football agents to focus on players’ well-being and long-term growth, rather than prioritising immediate financial rewards.
South Africans took to social media to share their thoughts on the Belgian tactician's response to the allegations levelled against him.
Madiseng Mammolele Malepe said:
"I am a Pirates fan. We have seen this old man dealing with other players and other teams. He doesn't intend to hurt anyone. Let him do his job."
Xa Mondo commented:
"I stand with Hugo Broos, there's nothing as sexist and racist there, the coach was telling the truth."
Katlego Skv reacted:
"Let's not allow 'blind loyalty' to condone nonsense statements by people whom we consider as "best of the best". Broos made a blunder, and he knows it too, that he put arrogance forward instead of counting his words. Yes, Bafana Bafana struggled previously, but his arrogance got in the way and took an irrelevant standpoint. He must be sincere and apologise if he wants his name to carry integrity."
Madimetja Mmako shared:
"You don't deal with a player in public. You should have dealt with it in the boardroom."
Tshepo Makola wrote:
"You are right, Coach, they have been clapping their dirty hands when you were running your big mouth against the mighty AMAKHOSI ✌️🧡✌️🧡✌️Now they catch feelings 🙄."
Nthambeleni Fourman Power Mawewe added:
"South African citizens, let's rally behind our national team coach, Mr Hugo Broos and his team, because if we rely on charms or traditional medicine to win games, we'll struggle to progress beyond the group stage. We need teamwork, strategy & unity- not distractions on superstitions. Let's focus on supporting our team & encourage a winning mindset."
Ouaddou shares what he told Mbokazi
Briefly News also reported that Ouaddou shared what he told Mbekelezi Mbokazi ahead of Orlando Pirates' clash with Marumo Gallants in the Carling Knockout Cup final.
The Moroccan tactician gave solid advice to the South African centre back as he was playing his last match for Orlando Pirates before leaving for the Major League Soccer.
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Source: Briefly News
