Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos says South Africa must leave the 2026 FIFA World Cup with their heads held high.
He however admits Sunday’s heartbreaking defeat to Canada exposed an area the team and the country’s football must urgently improve.
South Africa’s historic World Cup run came to an end after a 1-0 loss to the co-hosts in the Round of 32, with Stephen Eustaquio scoring the winner just minutes before the final whistle.
Reflecting on the match, Broos said Canada’s physical strength and pace made the difference, as Bafana struggled to win one-on-one battles throughout the contest.
“We conceded the goal when the game was almost finished, with only two or three minutes left. That was the perfect moment for Canada to score,” Broos said after the match.
“To be honest, they had more speed and power than us. We lost too many individual duels because of their physical strength.”
The Belgian coach believes South African football must evolve to meet the demands of the modern game.
“It’s not only about playing good football anymore. You also need power and speed, and that’s something we have to work on in the coming months,” added the 74-year-old.
Despite the disappointment, Broos praised his players’ commitment and fighting spirit.
“The boys gave everything they had. They played with big hearts and pushed themselves to the limit.
“At the end of the match, several players were completely exhausted, which shows they gave 100 percent. We leave this tournament with our heads held high.”
With his current contract set to expire, now all eyes will be on SAFA to see if they extend his era or look at someone else.