Bafana Bafana’s preparations for the 2025 AFCON have been overshadowed by controversy after the United Democratic Movement (UDM) lodged a formal complaint with the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) against head coach Hugo Broos.
The complaint follows comments Broos made at a press conference in Pretoria, reacting to defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi’s late arrival to camp after missing a flight. The UDM has labelled the remarks “racist and sexist” and has also written to SAFA expressing strong concern.
UDM MP Nqabayomzi Kwankwa confirmed the complaint, stating that racism and sexism have no place in society and that Broos should be held accountable. The party cited comments in which Broos said Mbokazi would leave a meeting with him as a “white guy,” and reportedly referred to the player’s agent, Basia Michaels, as a “nice little woman.”
A source close to Broos has insisted the remarks were misunderstood, claiming the coach meant Mbokazi would leave the meeting shaken or pale with concern, not as a racial reference, and that the comment about the agent was an unintended language slip.
In a letter signed by UDM secretary-general Yongama Zigebe, the party asked the SAHRC to investigate, arguing the remarks could not be dismissed lightly under constitutional protections against discrimination.
Despite the fallout, Bafana Bafana’s AFCON preparations continue. South Africa face Ghana in a final warm-up match at Dobsonville Stadium before heading to Morocco, where they open their Group B campaign against Angola on 22 December, followed by clashes with Egypt and Zimbabwe.