Bafana Bafana need more support if they want to make waves at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. That's the message from respected coaches Muhsin Ertugral and Farouk Khan, who believe Hugo Broos and assistant Helman Mkhalele can't do it alone.
After South Africa's disappointing exit in the Round of 16 at the recent Africa Cup of Nations, the coaching veterans say it's time for a new approach. They want SAFA to create a bigger technical team to help prepare for the tournament in Mexico and the USA.
"There has to be some form of bigger technical committee formed from the club coaches to work together with Hugo Broos and his technical team," said Khan, who now runs the Stars of Africa Academy. He believes PSL coaches should regularly monitor players and discuss their form, tactics, and mental state with the national team setup.
Ertugral knows this system works because he's seen it firsthand. When Turkey prepared for a previous World Cup, they brought together a community of technical experts to support the national coach.
How Turkey's System Worked Wonders
"They brought us in to ensure that the coach could work and concentrate on his work while we looked at the performances of the players who were based all over the world and at home," Ertugral explained. The Turkish coaches met every Monday to analyze players and even put together their best starting eleven.
This kind of detailed preparation could be crucial for bettors looking at South Africa's World Cup chances. A properly supported technical team would give Bafana better odds of progressing from the group stage, especially with that opening match against Mexico.
The former Kaizer Chiefs boss isn't shy about the stakes. "Imagine we beat Mexico in that opening match watched by the entire world," he said. That kind of result would certainly shake up the betting markets and put South Africa on the map.
Khan agrees but admits the PSL probably won't suspend its season before the World Cup like South Korea did in 2002. Still, he thinks former players with World Cup experience should be brought in to motivate and guide the current squad.
Broos Must Lead the Revolution
Both coaches stress that Hugo Broos needs to choose his own support team. "The coach has to be the one who chooses," Ertugral said. "He is the leader and the final word on this has to be his because he must be the one who drives it."
The big challenge is getting SAFA and the PSL to work together. Ertugral called on both organizations to put aside their egos for the good of South African football. With proper planning and support, Bafana Bafana could surprise a lot of people in 2026.
For punters, this news suggests South Africa's World Cup preparations will be closely watched. If SAFA implements this technical revolution, it could significantly improve the team's chances of making it past the group stage for the first time since 2002.
