South Africa’s Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has signaled a decisive shift in team strategy, prioritizing squad diversity over historical reliance on players from Mamelodi Sundowns—a move he credits for recent successes in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. This tactical overhaul comes as Bafana secured back-to-back 2-0 victories over Lesotho and Benin, propelling them to the top of Group K. Broos emphasized the importance of adaptability, stating, “I can make changes and still get the desired results,” a philosophy that has earned praise for revitalizing the team’s resilience.
The Belgian tactician’s approach marks a departure from past eras where Sundowns’ dominance in domestic leagues often translated into overrepresentation in national squad selections. By integrating talent from across the Premier Soccer League (PSL) and abroad, Broos aims to build a more balanced and dynamic team. This shift aligns with Bafana’s rise in the FIFA rankings, climbing from 60th to 57th under his leadership—a testament to improved performances on the continental stage.
However, challenges persist. Forced squad changes due to injuries and club commitments have tested Broos’ depth, most notably ahead of the Lesotho qualifier, where he lamented “unavoidable adjustments” that disrupted his preferred lineup. Despite this, the team’s ability to grind out results has reinforced Broos’ belief in their evolving mentality: “They’re regaining their fighting spirit,” he remarked, highlighting a newfound grit that helped Bafana qualify for AFCON 2025 with two matches to spare.
Critics argue the Sundowns-heavy squads of the past limited tactical innovation, but Broos’ critics-turned-supporters now acknowledge his role in modernizing Bafana’s approach. As the team prepares for its final qualifiers, the coach faces pressure to maintain consistency while nurturing emerging talent like Orlando Pirates’ Relebohile Mofokeng, whose debut goal against Lesotho underscored the promise of a refreshed generation.
With AFCON 2025 looming, Broos’ vision for Bafana Bafana—rooted in diversity, resilience, and tactical flexibility—has positioned South Africa as a contender to watch. Yet, as one Pretoria-based analyst noted, “The real test will be sustaining this momentum in high-stakes tournaments, where depth and cohesion truly matter”.
