South Africans have fallen in love with Bafana Bafana again – thanks to Hugo Broos
Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos and his players celebrate their qualification for the 2026 Fifa World Cup.
Image: BackpagePix
There’s a new energy around South African football – and it’s beautiful to see. Hugo Broos’ Bafana Bafana qualifying for the 2026 World Cup in North America has reignited a level of enthusiasm around the national team not seen since 2010.
Domestic games are attracting big crowds again, and whenever Bafana Bafana play, the atmosphere in the stands can lift the players on the pitch. It’s a far cry from just two years ago, when Broos had to beg South Africans to show the national team more love.
It’s been an impressive turnaround – and it’s largely thanks to how the Belgian has transformed the environment and created a genuine feel-good factor around the squad. When they beat Rwanda to book their spot in North America, videos of Broos celebrating and laughing with his players flooded social media. South Africans saw something rare: the genuine love and respect between coach and team.
Since Ronwen Williams took over the armband, his leadership has grown immensely. His composure and maturity have made him exactly the kind of figure you expect in a national team captain. Not only that, but his statue in the game has grown as well.
Broos has also restored pride in wearing the national jersey. For years, there was a disconnect between Bafana Bafana and the public: fans felt the players didn’t care enough, and players felt unloved. That divide has finally been bridged. This group plays with visible purpose, hunger, and togetherness.
Because of this, South Africans will be watching closely – and with confidence – as the team embarks on another Africa Cup of Nations campaign next month.
Crucially, Broos’ selection policy has been rooted in merit, not reputation. He’s unafraid to drop big names if they’re not performing, and that’s fostered a healthy competitive spirit within the squad. The result is a team that reflects the values South Africans want to see: hard work, unity, and belief.
For the first time in a long time, Bafana Bafana are not just a team to support – they’re a team to be proud of. Broos may not be South African, but he’s reminded the nation what it means to dream again. And as the 2026 World Cup approaches, that belief – that sense that something special is building – might just be his greatest achievement of all.
IOL Sport
* The views expressed are not necessarily the views of IOL or Independent Media.
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