Cameroon coach Hugo Broos has applied for the vacant position in charge of the South African national team, following his 2017 Africa Cup of Nations victory with the Indomitable Lions.
The Belgian tactician masterminded a stunning title triumph for the unfancied Central Africans in Gabon earlier this month, where Cameroon managed a 2-1 victory over favourites Egypt in the final to list their fifth AFCON trophy.
But regardless of his continuing project with the Lions, looking ahead to the 2018 World Cup in Russia, Broos has decided to apply for the Bafana top job, according to his representative.
Ligi Star Management’s Gino Laureyssen revealed that Broos sent his application to the South African Football Association (SAFA), but they have not yet received any feedback.
‘I asked him [Broos] if he wants to be a candidate for SAFA because they are looking for a head coach. So this week we have sent his CV to the CEO of SAFA, but until now we didn’t get any answer, which I think is a little [unusual],’ Laureyssen said.
‘He’s very interested in working with a young group and I think the South African national team hasn’t done well in recent years, and if you see how he did with Cameroon, with not only stars but players who want to fight and work hard, I think that [his interest] is a good sign,’ he added.
Previous Bafana coach Ephraim ‘Shakes’ Mashaba was fired in December following what the football authorities in the country deemed as ‘gross misconduct and violation of the SAFA communications policy’, relating to a public argument with SAFA officials immediately after Bafana’s historic 2-1 World Cup qualifying win over Senegal in Polokwane on November 12.
Bafana have created a committee to pour over the applications from both local and international coaches interested in taking charge of the South African national team.
Broos may choose to jump ship following the AFCON triumph, as the next target for African teams will be to qualify for the World Cup in Russia, and Cameroon is not well-placed to do so.
After two matches the Indomitable Lions are second in Group B with two points from two draws (with Algeria and Zambia), while the Super Eagles of Nigeria look set to upset the AFCON winners in the group with six points from their two encounters thus far.
In comparison, Bafana is looking good in qualifying after their two games. The recent home win over Senegal after a draw away to Burkina Faso allowed South Africa to share top spot in Group D with the Stallions on four points, ahead of Cape Verde and Senegal.
Broos will certainly find qualifying for Russia 2018 easier with Bafana at this stage, with four games left to play in qualifying and only the top team in each group securing their ticket for the showpiece competition.