Hugo Broos believes South Africa’s dramatic FIFA World Cup exit to Canada highlighted a long-standing issue in the country’s domestic football, insisting the Premier Soccer League (PSL) must help produce players capable of matching the physical demands of the modern game.
Bafana Bafana’s historic World Cup campaign came to an end on Sunday after Stephen Eustáquio’s stoppage-time strike handed Canada a 1-0 victory in the Round of 32.
While Broos praised his players for reaching the knockout stage for the first time in the nation’s history, the Belgian admitted the difference between the two sides was clear.
“I think we have to be honest that today we lost the game because there was a lack of power and speed in our team when I compare that with our opponent,” Broos told reporters after the match.
“We lost a lot of duels, man against man, and the speed in our team not only the running speed but also the speed of execution.”
Hugo Broos says South Africa’s World Cup defeat to Canada exposed the gap between the PSL and the highest level of international football, calling for clubs to help produce faster and more powerful players.
The 74-year-old said he had repeatedly warned about the issue throughout his five-year tenure, but believes Sunday’s defeat provided the clearest evidence yet.
“This is also what I said already many times in South Africa, but nobody believes me.
“Modern football is more than technique. Modern football is power, it is speed. If you don’t have it in your team and you play against a team who has it, then it’s difficult.”
Broos also suggested the responsibility extends beyond the national team setup, urging domestic clubs to play a bigger role in developing players who can compete consistently at elite international level.
“I think this is a level, maybe two levels higher than the PSL, than the local competition. The majority of our team are players from that competition.
“That’s something South Africa has to work on and not I or the national team. This is the clubs. They don’t have to be happy when Sundowns win the Champions League. There is more than that, certainly on the international level.”
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Despite the disappointment of falling at the first knockout hurdle, Broos insisted South Africa’s World Cup campaign should still be viewed as a major success.
The Belgian guided Bafana Bafana back to the global stage for the first time in 24 years before leading them into the knockout rounds, an achievement few expected before the tournament.
“I know why we are out and this is something we have to work on in the next months and years,” he said.
“We have a good mentality, and we produced good performances and good results. Again, I’m still proud of my team. We did very well in this World Cup.”
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South Africa’s run included a memorable victory over South Korea that secured qualification from the group stage before Canada’s late winner finally brought their historic campaign to an end.
