McKenzie Publicly Slams Broos's 'Vibe' Remarks, But Backs Him to See Out Contract
Johannesburg – Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, has publicly criticised Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos for his controversial assessment of the AFCON tournament in Morocco, where he claimed it lacked "a vibe." Despite this rebuke, McKenzie remains steadfast in his support for the Belgian coach, insisting that he should be allowed to complete his contract, which extends until after the FIFA World Cup in 2026.
The Minister's comments came as Bafana Bafana arrived back in South Africa early Wednesday morning, following their exit from the Africa Cup of Nations at the hands of Cameroon. Broos's remarks about the tournament's atmosphere had already sparked considerable backlash, particularly in Morocco, where fans felt insulted by his assessment.
Speaking at OR Tambo International Airport, draped in the South African flag and wearing a Bafana jersey, McKenzie did not hold back in expressing his displeasure. "I was very annoyed with the coach of Bafana Bafana," he stated. "I'm going to be straight with you; I was highly annoyed. You don't do that! You don't go into a person's country and insult them in their own country."
McKenzie continued, "Nobody should do that! It is not collegial. It is wrong. He is in the hotel. How would he see vibes outside? We were on the streets, we saw the vibes. It was very wrong. And I want to apologise to the Moroccans for his utterances. You don't do that! You don't insult people in front of the whole world when they have welcomed you with open arms."
He went on to praise Morocco for hosting a successful tournament. "The Moroccans have done a sterling job, and this is the best Africa Cup of Nations I have ever seen."
Despite his strong words regarding Broos's comments, McKenzie was equally firm in his defence of the coach against calls for his dismissal. He embraced Broos warmly upon the team's arrival, signalling his continued support.
"I hear people are saying, 'now it's time for Hugo Broos to go … to go where? Hugo Broos is going nowhere," McKenzie declared. "Hugo Broos is going to Mexico [to the 2026 FIFA World Cup]; that's where he is going. This mentality of constantly changing coaches is unacceptable. The national team is not a joke."
McKenzie highlighted the progress Bafana Bafana have made under Broos's leadership. "Hugo Broos has come in and put in a solid structure in our national team. Furthermore, how do you blame the coach if players don't score?"
He reiterated his stance, stating: "We all watched the game[s], and so I want to make all of that very clear: Hugo Broos will not be fired. Instead, he will be going to the World Cup so that he can retire peacefully when his contract ends, and then we can start discussing bringing in a new coach."
McKenzie also addressed the need for Bafana Bafana to face stronger opposition in preparation for the World Cup. He pointed out that the team has predominantly played against African sides since Broos took over, with only two matches against European teams (France and Andorra).
He called on corporate South Africa to provide greater financial support to the national team, enabling them to afford more high-profile matches against tougher opponents. "Corporate South Africa needs to stand up now. You can't just only get involved in rugby and cricket," McKenzie urged. "This is a national team, and they are a team that has done well for us. We mustn't stand here and act like Bafana Bafana was knocked out in the first round. No! There are teams that can complain. We did great, but we didn't do our best."
Bafana Bafana are currently grouped with Mexico, South Korea, and a yet-to-be-determined European team (likely Denmark) for the World Cup. McKenzie expressed confidence in the team's ability to turn things around after their AFCON disappointment.
"Go back a few years; Hugo Broos truly woke up Bafana Bafana," McKenzie concluded, emphasising the importance of stability and continuity in the national team setup. His comments underscore the complex dynamic between supporting the coach and holding him accountable, particularly in the wake of disappointing results. While acknowledging the validity of the criticism against Broos’s remarks, McKenzie's priority remains ensuring a stable environment for Bafana Bafana as they prepare for the challenges of the upcoming World Cup.
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