Hugo Broos Rubbishes Criticism Levelled Against Him After Bafana Bafana’s Early AFCON Exit

• Hugo Broos has come out to reply to those criticising him after Bafana Bafana crashed out early from the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations
• The Bafana Bafana head coach was called out by many South African football lovers after the team's woeful performance against Cameroon

Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has dismissed the wave of negativity on social media following South Africa’s early exit from the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

The team had entered the 2025 tournament with high hopes of claiming the title for the first time since their historic victory on home soil in 1996.

In the 2023 edition, held in Ivory Coast, South Africa exceeded expectations by finishing third despite being considered underdogs.

In this latest campaign, Mzansi secured second place in Group B, behind Egypt, while also competing against COSAFA representatives Angola and Zimbabwe. However, their journey ended in the Round of 16, where they were defeated by five-time champions Cameroon, who themselves were later eliminated by Morocco in the quarter-finals.

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Broos on experience gained at AFCON

Broos emphasised that the experience, though disappointing at times, provided valuable lessons to build upon and he is clinging on the positives despite criticism.

“It was a meaningful experience, even if at moments it felt like a tough one. You have to look at it that way. For a country like South Africa, participation in every AFCON is essential,” Broos told reporters.

“We achieved that for a while. This edition may not have gone as well as the previous one, but being part of the tournament is what matters most. We are also heading to the World Cup. I hope in the years ahead, South Africa will continue appearing in AFCON and World Cup tournaments, because those are the stages where real growth happens.”

Broos hits back at critics online

The Belgian coach also expressed frustration with the unconstructive criticism on social media, especially from Bafana Bafana supporters after the team crashed out of the competition.

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“I don’t read social media because it’s mostly nonsense. I have 40 years of experience, and I know that when things go well, nobody speaks, but when there’s a loss, everyone suddenly has an opinion,” he said.

“People are loud now, but I can handle that. I’ve spent four years making decisions based on what’s right for the team, not on what social media says. I won’t change that approach in these last six months either,” the 73-year-old concluded.

Here is what fans are saying after Broos replied to the criticism he faced after Bafana Bafana were knocked out of AFCON.

Mr Fitzgerald

Can we convince madala to give us 4 more years!? We need someone of his calibre on that bafana hot seat. Many people are weak, can’t handle the pressure quite like him

Sphelele Dlangamandlaa

Round of 16 isn't a disaster; it's progress from the dark days. We topped expectations by even qualifying for the knockouts again. Pushed Cameroon hard despite their European-based stars. A defeat in a tournament where giants fall early and suddenly Broos is the villain? Nah

Leeroy Ivry

Nonsense even after that Angola game we complained cause we all knew as proper football fans his approach was gonna get caught out by any team that was decent Cameroon weren't even that good.

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Ultimate_Buccaneer

Thabang Monare once said on social we coach with our driving licences 🤣🤣🤣

Morris Mahlangu

I owe Kaizer Chiefs fans an apology, what an arrogant old man. Its just a matter of time before he openly show us a middle finger. He is telling us to mind our own business, we shouldn't even have a say about our own national team.

President Samora

We want the AFCON trophy then you will start talking. Otherwise you are a fraud, you failed to win a trophy with good players

Broos warned against public criticism

Briefly News also reported that Broos was warned against public criticism after Bafana Bafana were knocked out of the ongoing 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

The former Cameroon national team coach made some comments about the tournament before their game against the Indomitable Lions, and it was used against him after South Africa crashed out of the competition.

Source: Briefly News