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Hugo Broos and Helman Mkhalele, Bafana BafanaBackpage
Seth Willis

'Hugo Broos is right; Mamelodi Sundowns, Kaizer Chiefs & Orlando Pirates export players to Europe! I thought Bucs were European team but they play with Muti but 2023 AFCON success was because of Rhulani Mokwena' - Fans

South Africa's national team failed to deliver the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) as the majority of their supporters had anticipated after getting eliminated in the Round of 16 by the five-time champions, the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon. The preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup have now begun.

Bafana Bafana failed in the Last 16 of the biennial competition, which is hosted by the North African nation of Morocco.

Having won bronze in the 2023 edition, South Africans' hopes on Hugo Broos' men were high, but things didn't go as anticipated as they fell 2-1 to the 2017 winners.

Recently, the 73-year-old tactician stated Bafana Bafana will struggle to deliver without players playing trade in Europe.

Have a look at the response by fans as sampled by GOAL.

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  • South Africa fansBackpage

    Why didn't he call players playing overseas?

    We have more than enough players playing overseas. Why didn't he call them? - Stanley Stan 

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  • Hugo Broos, Bafana BafanaBackpage

    Madala always finds an excuse?

    All along, you were playing with Sundowns and Pirates players. They made you qualify for the World Cup and AFCON. Madala always finds an excuse to escape - Xaba Thokzin Ntokozo

  • Bafana Bafana fans, Mbombela StadiumGOAL

    Even 1996 AFCON-winning squad had Europe-based players

    I agree with him on this one. When we look back, when South Africa won AFCON in 1996, many of their players were European-based players -  Thomas Kagiso

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  • FBL-AFR-2025-ZAF-PRESSERAFP

    Make use of what you have

    As a coach, you must make use of what you have and make sure your players play according to their strengths and choose players according to their form, not according to the teams you favour. Former coaches were able to mix foreign-based players and our local players and got results -  Mannci Painters

  • FBL-CAN-2024-RSA-TRAININGAFP

    When did Broos realise that?

    When did he realize that players being in Europe is advantageous? -  A Certain Phakamani Ngubane

  • FBL-AFR-2025-MATCH 15-EGY-RSAAFP

    They will say broos is arrogant but statement is correct

    After the comment, they will say Hugo Broos is arrogant, but his statement is correct. In order to compete with the best, you need quality too - William Maĺambe - William Maĺambe 

  • Bafana Bafana fansGetty

    No Muti, no success!

    No Muti, no success! Broos must also use Muti to win with Bafana Bafana as he's playing 70% of Muti players from Pirates - Victor Vitjo Rapua

  • Orlando Pirates, December 2025Backpage

    I thought Pirates were a European team

    I thought Pirates were a European team! For you to conquer, ask for international friendly games from Europe - Gumede Lawire

  • Rhulani Mokwena, MC Alger, November 2025Backpage

    2023 success was because of Mokwena

    We didn't have them in 2023, but we did well. He should just say his success was because of Rulani Mokwena - Malum Real Ree 

  • FBL-AFR-2025-MATCH 04-RSA-ANGAFP

    Pirates, Sundowns & Chiefs export players!

    Orlando Pirates, Mamelodi Sundowns, Kaizer Chiefs, and other big teams in the PSL should start to export as a matter of yearly - Siti Yola Menye 

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