The 48-year-old has been in charge of the East African state since March 2025, marking a year into his first role as a national team coach. He arrived in Nairobi fresh from a stint as Manchester United’s forwards coach. That pedigree raised expectations for him as he stepped into the international arena.
The Premier Soccer League clubs strengthened in the short January transfer window in their bid to realise their set objectives. While some players have settled and delivered for their respective teams, others have struggled to make an impact at their clubs.
There has been criticism of SAFA for choosing Central American opponents for the upcoming international friendlies. The backlash has also focused on the decision to face the same team twice instead of arranging matches against different opponents.
South Africa will take on Panama in two international friendly matches as they prepare themselves for the more demanding global tournament, where they are in what appears to be a tricky group. Their Belgian coach has confirmed what they intend to achieve at this competition.
When Panama were confirmed as South Africa's opponents during the international break, questions were asked whether the Central Americans would give Bafana Bafana the right test. However, the national team coach has explained the financial constraints that South Africa would have faced if they were to welcome top-ranking nations for the friendlies.
The 24-year-old has been excellent for the defending Premier Soccer League champions this season after initial struggles. With the national team preparing for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the former Stellenbosch player is seen as an individual who can help Mzansi deliver. However, he has to prove he is ready for that in international friendlies.
The attacker's impressive form has come at a critical time, especially for Orlando Pirates, who are chasing the Premier Soccer League title. For Bafana Bafana, the focus is currently on the upcoming friendlies, but in a few months, full energy will be directed to the World Cup finals. The youngster is expected to shine for the national team during the global showpiece.
The 20-year-old has been one of the youngsters who have made tremendous progress within a year of introduction to top-flight football by the then Sea Robbers coach Jose Riveiro. He is currently a key player for South Africa and hopes to be part of the 2026 World Cup squad in the next two months.
As the Soweto giants eye the league title, the 21-year-old is expected to be one of the vital figures in that mission. Despite his relatively young age, President Yama 2000 has contributed immensely to the campaign, playing impressively wherever he is deployed on the frontline.
The spotlight again is on the Belgian tactician since he named his final squad to take on Panama during the international break. The raging debate is who should have been called up and who should have been left out. The games lined up later this month are expected to give the 73-year-old a glimpse of how fit his players are before the World Cup finals.
There have been questions about the best position for the versatile attacker, who has been excellent for the Buccaneers since getting his chance late in the 2022/23 campaign under the then-coach Jose Riveiro. He is an established South Africa international expected to lead the nation in the 2026 World Cup.
The Masandawana star is starting to play week in and week out again after he was sidelined by a lengthy injury before. The few minutes he has been given by the Downs' technical bench saw the attacking midfielder return to the national team fold. The big concern now is whether the 36-year-old will be fit beyond the season and play in the World Cup finals.
South Africa has been leaking at the back in recent outings, especially in the concluded 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) held in Morocco. With the global competitions about three months away, the Belgian tactician has been advised to consider an experienced defender who is currently struggling with fitness.
The centre-back has been having mixed reactions from football lovers in South Africa. The fans are divided about the quality of the 30-year-old, who has been a regular feature for the Soweto giants, especially after the exit of Mbekezeli Mbokazi to the Major League Soccer outfit Chicago Fire early in December.
The former Cape Town City attacker has previously played under the Belgian coach when he featured for South Africa in September 2021 in a 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Zimbabwe. But despite the good form he has been enjoying this season, the 27-year-old is being ignored as he comes in with versatility, offering back-up as a left attacking player or left-back.
As the West Africans prepare to escalate the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, South Africa has promised legal support. Senegal are facing the daunting task of maintaining their status as African champions after their win against Morocco was annulled. The CAF decision to strip Teranga Lions of the trophy came two months after the final was played in Rabat.
The Masandawana skipper has battled serious injuries in the recent past, and given his advanced age, there were fears that he might not fully recover. The 36-year-old last played for the national team in 2024, and he has a chance of wearing the national team colours again this month. South Africa coach has expressed his delight that the playmaker is back after being sidelined for a very long time.
In a decision that shocked the world, the CAF Appeals Board awarded the 2025 finals' hosts the trophy. The decision divided the opinion right in the middle, with some arguing that the board followed what the law stipulates, while others say the interpretation of the provisions was wrong. One of those who have responded to the decision is the South Africa coach, who says the delay makes the whole process questionable.
The national team coach has come out swinging in defence of Makgopa after naming the Orlando Pirates striker in his latest Bafana squad. Despite facing intense criticism from supporters and falling down the pecking order at club level, the Bucs man remains a fundamental part of the Belgian’s plans for the upcoming international break.
The goalkeeping position in the national team will be up for grabs in the next couple of years. Top custodians in South Africa are now hoping to take over from the legendary Mamelodi Sundowns star, who has been consistent for Mzansi. The Belgian tactician has further explained the reasons for snubbing Amakhosi's shot-stopper.
The Belgian recently confirmed his squad for the forthcoming international friendly outing in Durban and Cape Town. The fixture against Panama will be massive for the technical team in their bid to get a strong team to represent the country and Africa at large. Mexico, Canada, and the United States will co-host the Global competition.
The 73-year-old has already begun mapping out South Africa's journey to the 2026 global tournament with a series of logistical demands aimed at giving his side the best chance of success. The Belgian tactician is leaving nothing to chance as he looks to avoid the pitfalls of heavy travel schedules and high-altitude exhaustion in North America.
The South Africa coach is making bold decisions as he shapes his squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Belgian tactician has made a few surprise omissions from his squad and has explained that his selections are based on form as he tries to build a competitive team for the global football tournament.
The 20-year-old has risen rapidly in his club career, making notable strides in a short space of time. Since his professional debut in March 2025, he has already secured a move overseas and continues to attract praise as a player destined for greatness. However, his switch to America did not earn a nod from his national team coach.
South Africa are set for an international friendly game with the Canal Men in the next couple of days. The first game will be staged in Durban at the Moses Mabhida Stadium, while the second one will be at the DHL Stadium in Cape Town. Some top names were omitted from the team as Hugo Broos named his squad to kickstart preparations for the global competition.
South Africa have begun their preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, set to be staged in North America. The former Cameroon coach has unveiled his squad for the friendly matches scheduled at the end of March. As expected, the tactician made some surprising selections, but he has moved to justify one of those decisions.
South Africa
