From assistant to head coach? Helman Mkhalele tipped to succeed Hugo Broos at Bafana
Next in line? Assistant coach Helman Mkhalele has been tipped to replace Hugo Broos as Bafana Bafana head coach when the Belgian retires next year. Photo: Brian Rikhotso/BackpagePix
Image: Brian Rikhotso/BackpagePix
Former Bafana Bafana defender and 1996 Africa Cup of Nations winner Edward Motale has backed one of his old teammates to succeed Hugo Broos as the national team head coach.
Broos is coming to the end of his tenure as Bafana coach and has repeatedly said he will retire after the 2026 World Cup in North America.
The South African Football Association will be tasked with finding a successor, but Motale feels they don’t need to look too far. According to the 59-year-old, Helman Mkhalele, Broos’ number two, is the perfect man for the job.
“From what I see, [Mkhalele] is already doing much of the coaching at Bafana Bafana. During matches, he is the one giving most of the instructions, and he understands the football language of the Bafana players,” said “Magents”, as quoted by KickOff.
Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel.
"This is not to say that Broos lacks knowledge about the players he selects. As the head coach, he is familiar with them. Remember, he attends these games, and Helman is always by his side.
"Broos is a coach who pays close attention to every player who catches his eye. He doesn't call up a player just because he has appeared in the papers."
According to Motale, Mkhalele is ready for the job, and displayed this when he temporarily took charge of the team in Broos’ absence due to illness.
Motale believes Mkhalele’s appointment would also provide continuity, ensuring that the foundations laid by Broos are not lost. With the players already accustomed to his methods and communication style, handing him the reins could make for a smoother transition and sustained progress for Bafana.
"He has always been prepared. Helman knows the game because he played football. In my opinion, there’s no need for SAFA to search far and wide when it comes time to replace Broos."
In an illustrious playing career that spanned almost 20 years and began at Jomo Cosmos, Mkhalele spent most of his time in the colours of Orlando Pirates. In 1997, he left Ezimnyama ngenkani and moved to Turkey, where he turned out for Kayserispor, Ankaragücü, Göztepe, and Malatyaspor. He returned to South Africa in 2005 and saw out his playing days with Cosmos.
IOL Sport