‘They wanted to die on the field’: Hugo Broos proud of Bafana after World Cup dream ends

It has been an emotional and unforgettable 2026 FIFA World Cup journey for Bafana Bafana.

Breaking through the ceiling of the group stages for the first time in the nation’s history marked a defining moment for Hugo Broos and his players.

Five years into his tenure and 60 matches later, the Belgian has transformed South Africa into a side capable of competing on football’s biggest stage, with the possibility of extending his stay still on the table.

Although Sunday’s heartbreaking 1-0 stoppage-time defeat to Canada at a vibrant Los Angeles Stadium ended Bafana’s dream, Broos believes his team exceeded expectations.

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For the 74-year-old, the primary objective was to reach the knockout rounds and measure his side against the world’s best. By that measure, he insists, Bafana “did very well”.

The pain of their late exit will linger, but so too will the pride in what this South African team achieved.

“I think I said it already. I think it’s a success. Nobody expected, only hoped that we should be in the second round,” Broos told reporters after Bafana’s exit from the tournament.

“I knew also that this is a level, maybe two levels, higher than the PSL, than the local competition (in South Africa), and the majority of our team are players of that competition.

“I think you saw today what we miss, and that’s something that South Africa has to work on. Not me or the national team. This is the clubs (in South Africa).

“They don’t have to be happy when Sundowns win the Champions League. There is more than that certainly on the international level, and we saw it today. We saw it also in the previous games.”

Broos added: “We have a good mentality, and we