Belgian Hugo Broos has refused to give in to the temptation of coaching at the upcoming Olympic Games in Japan.
The Bafana Bafana coach was asked by the South African Football Association (SAFA) to take over the coaching of the Under-23 team at the Olympics, but the Belgian refused to take David Notoane’s job.
Broos revealed this during his first press conference as Bafana Bafana coach in Johannesburg on Wednesday.
“In July there’s also the Olympic Games. They asked me to coach the team. I need to have the respect of the coach who qualified the U-23 for Japan. I will not come and say I will do it. He is the coach of the Olympic Games. He needs respect. I will be monitoring the Games. I will be in contact with him,” Broos revealed.
Addressing the media, Broos added that he’s happy to be in South Africa as he begins his journey as Bafana Bafana coach.
“I’m very happy to be in South Africa. This is a great country. On the football level, there is a lot of potential,” he said.
“When I came to Cameroon everyone was telling me that I had never worked in Africa. I had to deal with 23 million coaches. I have the experience to be under pressure. I know this country is looking forward to success. I’m not coming here to have a retirement cheque and go back to my country with no success. I’m very angry and disappointed when I lose. Only one thing is important – that is the team.”
Broos, who won the Africa Cup of Nations tournament with Cameroon in 2017, disclosed that he’s returning to Belgium for a COVID-19 jab.
“I will be here in South Africa until the 24th of May. You know we are living in the world of COVID and I get already my first vaccination in Belgium. In June, fourth of June, I think and I hope you understand that I will go to Belgium to receive my second vaccination so I will be protected. In the next month I will travel and I don’t want to be sick,” Broos said.
Meanwhile, Broos revealed that his Belgian assistant Cedomir Janevski and a soon-to-named South African assistant are going to be in charge when Bafana Bafana play friendly matches in June.
“Cedomir Janevski will come to South Africa to coach together with the South African coach. We are looking for opponents. We will see which team, which country we will play,” he said.
