Former Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has opened up about the emotional circumstances surrounding his departure from the national team, revealing that his trusted assistant Helman Mkhalele also faced a difficult decision.
Broos, who recently brought his time in charge of South Africa to an end, admitted that walking away from Bafana was much harder than he had initially anticipated.
Mkhalele did not want to continue without Broos
Speaking to Belgian publication Het Nieuwsblad, Broos revealed that Mkhalele was reluctant to remain with the national team after his departure.
The Belgian coach explained that his assistant had become an important part of the setup and did not want to continue in the role without him.
“My assistant coach, Helman Mkhalele, too. He didn’t want to stay without me.”
Mkhalele’s position reportedly added another layer to an already emotional situation as Broos prepared to leave South Africa.
Broos’ wife suggested another option
Broos also revealed that his wife was aware of Mkhalele’s situation and encouraged him to consider a different solution.
Rather than leaving football completely, she suggested that Broos could potentially remain involved with Bafana in another capacity while Mkhalele took over as head coach.
The idea would have allowed Broos to stay connected to the national team while giving Mkhalele an opportunity to take charge.
It was another factor that reportedly made Broos reconsider his decision to leave.
‘I changed my mind at least 10 times’
Broos had previously decided that the 2026 FIFA World Cup would be his final assignment with Bafana Bafana.
However, as his departure approached, the Belgian admitted that he repeatedly questioned whether walking away was the right decision.
During his final week in South Africa, Broos said he changed his mind numerous times.
“During that week, when I was there to wrap everything up, I changed my mind at least 10 times.”
The revelation highlights just how difficult the decision was for a coach who had built strong professional and personal relationships during his time with the national team.
A new chapter for Bafana
Broos leaves Bafana Bafana after a period that brought renewed optimism around South African football.
The team achieved notable results under his leadership, including a third-place finish at the Africa Cup of Nations and a historic run to the 2026 World Cup knockout stage.
His departure now leaves South African football facing an important transition, while Mkhalele’s future could also become a major talking point.
The possibility of Mkhalele taking over with Broos remaining involved in another role ultimately did not materialise.
Would Helman Mkhalele be the right man to lead Bafana Bafana into the next chapter?
