Fresh from coaching Bafana Bafana at CAF AFCON third-placed Hugo Broos has reacted to reported interest from North Africa and whether he would see out his contract until 2026.
The 71-year-old coach helped South Africa achieve a feat they last achieved in 2000 at the AFCON, defeating DR Congo in the third-place play-off to secure bronze on Saturday.
Broos’ dream of lifting the continental trophy with Bafana was ended by Nigeria after Bafana lost on penalties in the semi-final on Wednesday. However, SA has received praise from many after defying the odds in the tournament, not being expected to reach the last four.
According to reports, Tunisia are interested in the services of Bruce, who impressed many with his AFCON side. He met them in the group stage and held them to a 0-0 draw.
Broos says it’s normal to have rumors linking him with certain countries, especially when he did well with SA. But he insisted he knew “nothing” about the North Africans, Tunisia.
He went on to assure the nation that he was committed to Bafana and would only leave if SAFA decided to part ways with him.
HUGO BROOS SAYS HE KNOWS ‘NOTHING’ ABOUT NORTH AFRICAN GIANTS
“It’s normal when you have [good] results as a coach, when you play a really good tournament, like, for example, when you play that there is interest from teams,” Bruce said.
“For a player, it’s a club. for a national coach, it is a country. I also had this experience when I won [AFCON] with Cameroon.
“But most of the time, it’s just rumours, people will say something like, ‘oh yeah, that coach did really well. Ah, but in this country and that country, they’re looking for a coach, and oh, maybe he’s a candidate.’
“I AM HAPPY WITH MY JOB”
“I can tell you today, there is nothing, really nothing. You told me there are some people who come up to me and say, “Oh, coach so and so.”
“If Hugo Broos leaves South Africa, then it will be because the Federation decides to leave. That’s it, I’m happy with my job, I’m happy with the team, I’m not always happy with the media.
“But okay, I’m taking it with me [me]. But we’ll see. I hope that now more and more people will be behind the team.”
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