South African football legend Jomo Sono has praised Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos for the excellent job the Belgian is doing with the national team.
Broos, who arrived in the country in 2021, has revolutionised Bafana and restored its dignity in Africa.
The 72-year-old led South Africa to the third-place finish in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Ivory Coast early this year for the first time in 23 years.
Speaking to the media during Jomo Cosmos’ announcement of Lucas Batteries as a new sponsor in Johannesburg, Sono said it was difficult to ignore the great job Broos has done.
“I think he is doing a good job. We must not take away the fact that he is doing a good job,” Sono said.
“I think he will stay longer if he can survive you guys (media) because you know when he started, he was being character assassinated but he proved all of us wrong. I think he is a good coach.”
'He needs to be protected,' - legendary Jomo Sono on exciting Bafana Bafana attacker Relebohile Mofokeng.
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Broos is closing in on the record of being Bafana’s longest-serving coach held by the late Clive Barker.
The Belgian has overseen the South African national team for three years and four months while Barker, who won the 1996 AFCON with Bafana, lasted three years and nine months.
Sono believes what has helped Broos to last this long in the hot seat is constantly selecting the right players for national team duty.
READ: Bafana coach Hugo Broos set to make changes for South Sudan clash
“He noticed it’s a different ball game, a national team is not where you can rebuild or build players,” Sono said.
“In the national team, you just have to play players who are ready and go and win. That’s what he is doing, playing players who are ready to go and play for the country and win.”
Broos and Bafana are in South Sudan for the 2025 AFCON qualifier clash against the Bright Stars at Juba Stadium on Tuesday at 15:00, South African time.
South Africa will look to get maximum points from the clash after playing to a 2-2 draw against Uganda at Orlando Stadium on Friday.
Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos on Veli Mothwa.
— Mahlatse Mphahlele (@BraMahlatse) September 7, 2024
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