The South African Football Association has stepped up its search for a new head coach of the South Africa national football team, with Rulani Mokwena and Benni McCarthy notably absent from the list of candidates under consideration.
The move comes in the wake of the possible departure of Hugo Broos, whose five-year tenure has officially come to an end. Broos, if he leaves, will leave behind a significant legacy, having guided Bafana Bafana to a historic milestone at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where the team progressed beyond the group stage for the first time.
Despite public sentiment urging the Belgian to continue in his role, Broos appears set on stepping away from the position. However, discussions remain open regarding a possible continued involvement with SAFA in a different capacity. The 73-year-old has indicated that he will make a final decision on his future in the coming weeks.
In the meantime, SAFA has begun reviewing applications from a wide pool of interested coaches, signaling an intent to move swiftly. The association is targeting August 1 as the start date for the incoming coach, ensuring sufficient preparation time ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, scheduled to begin in September.
The exclusion of Mokwena and McCarthy, both prominent figures in South African football, has raised eyebrows, particularly given their recent managerial credentials. Nonetheless, SAFA appears focused on broadening its search as it looks to build on the national team’s recent progress.
With the clock ticking toward AFCON-27 qualification campaign, the appointment of Broos’ successor is expected to be one of the most significant decisions for South African football in the coming months.
