South Africa’s head coach, Hugo Broos, has announced that he plans to retire after the 2026 World Cup.
The 73-year-old experienced coach, who still has the AFCON and World Cup ahead of him, revealed that he will step away from football in July, saying:
“I wanted to go to America even more than the players. For me, it’s something emotional. I played in a World Cup at the end of my career, and now I’ll be there again as a coach. After that, I’ll stop, spend time with my family, and enjoy the next 20 years with my grandchildren.”
Broos also stated that the most suitable candidate to take over the team after him is former Orlando Pirates star Helman Mkhalele. Currently serving as Broos’s assistant, Mkhalele’s football philosophy is said to be very similar to Broos’s. However, Mkhalele does not yet hold a professional coaching license — a hurdle that could be overcome by completing the UEFA Pro Licence courses.
Known as “Midnight Express,” the 56-year-old Mkhalele is currently in Maseru, Lesotho, attending the CAF A Licence course for that reason.
During his playing career, Mkhalele made a name for himself at Jomo Cosmos and Orlando Pirates before moving to Turkey. Between 1997 and 2005, he played for Kayserispor, Ankaragücü, Göztepe, and Malatyaspor.