South Africa’s national football team head coach, Hugo Broos, has issued a public apology after attracting criticism over remarks about Mbekezeli Mbokazi’s late arrival at the Bafana Bafana training camp. The comments, widely perceived as having racist undertones, sparked a national debate ahead of AFCON 2025.

The controversy emerged when 20-year-old centre-back Mbekezeli Mbokazi, delayed his arrival at the Bafana Bafana camp to finalize a transfer deal with American side Chicago Fire. Broos publicly expressed his frustration, labeling Mbokazi’s absence as unprofessional and criticizing the player’s handling of travel arrangements and communications.

In his initial statements, the 73-year-old Belgian coach criticized Mbokazi’s club choice and the American side’s developmental structure. “What is he going to do in Chicago? It’s not even a top team in America,” Broos remarked, referencing the player potentially joining the second team in Major League Soccer. Most controversially, Broos added, “I can assure you he's a black guy, but he will get out of my room as a white guy because which I can't accept,” a statement that provoked widespread condemnation and accusations of racism.

Following public backlash, Broos clarified his remarks and apologized. “When Mbokazi arrived late in the Bafana Bafana camp in preparation for the most important tournament on the continent, AFCON, I was incredibly angry,” he explained. He emphasized that his statements were motivated by concern over the player’s career, not race or gender, stating, “I agree that my choice of words was not right and I want to apologise for that. But I never, I repeat. I’m neither a racist nor sexist. I thank you.”

Bafana Bafana, hosts of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, are set to compete in AFCON 2025 Group B, facing Egypt, Angola, and Zimbabwe. Their opening match is scheduled against Angola at Stade de Marrakech on Monday, December 22, as the team aims to begin the tournament on a strong note.