Excl: Former Kaizer Chiefs striker slams Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos’ critics – ‘It is not about Mamelodi Sundowns or Orlando Pirates, Spain are doing it with Real Madrid & Barcelona’

Former Kaizer Chiefs striker, Siphelele Mthembu, has expressed strong disapproval towards South African national football team fans for their criticism of Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos.

Broos has led South Africa to secure qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations with two matches to spare. They brushed aside Uganda in their second-last game on Friday.

Despite achieving success and improving Bafana, local fans have been critical of the Belgian coach, claiming that he has been benefiting from the success of Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns.

Nevertheless, Mthembu, who has experience playing for both Chiefs and Pirates, has stepped forward to support Broos, comparing the situation to that of Spain, Barcelona, and Real Madrid.

• WHAT MTHEMBU SAID

  “A man that is on a mission, will always be misunderstood. He came to the country with his planned mission and vision and he believes in what he does. Sometimes we can look at someone and say he is arrogant but Broos believed in his plans and he trusts his players,” Mthembu told GOAL.

  “So we should look at the positives and support him and Bafana Bafana. He has done well for our country, so let’s keep supporting him and his group. We as South Africans always want to look at the negatives or to find negative things even if the team is doing well.

  “People can say whatever they want to say to him, but look at Spain, they have a system and have a foundation, using players who are playing for Barcelona and Real Madrid, they choose from the best team, so if Mamelodi Sundowns are giving Broos what he wants to see from local teams, then why not? It is not about the Sundowns or Pirates, it’s about the national team,” he added.

  “Sundowns understand the system and are well exposed to Africa. It is everywhere in the World, national teams use the best players from big teams so why should we say the coach is not good, Spain has been using Barcelona players, and the credit is always given to the national team coach.”

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Securing a spot in the 2025 Afcon finals in Morocco has made Broos the first Bafana coach to qualify for consecutive Afcon tournaments.

  The 72-year-old veteran coach guided South Africa to secure a bronze medal at the 2023 Afcon in Cote d’Ivoire earlier this year.

  Ever since Broos assumed control, South Africa played 39 matches, securing 20 wins, drawing 13, and suffering six losses.

  WHAT NEXT FOR BAFANA BAFANA?

  Bafana are preparing for their final match in the 2025 Afcon qualifiers against South Sudan. The game is scheduled to start at 18h00 at the DHL Stadium on Tuesday, November 19th.

  Fringe and irregular players may have an opportunity to showcase their skills against Sudan, as Bafana have already secured their place in the upcoming tournament.

  Broos will be focusing on emerging victorious in the Afcon finals in Morocco, having come tantalisingly close to reaching the final in the previous edition.