Could Gavin Hunt Be The Man To Lead Bafana Bafana After Hugo Broos?

The End Of An Era For Hugo Broos

As the clock winds down on Hugo Broos’s tenure, the conversation around who should lead Bafana Bafana into a new chapter is heating up. The Belgian coach, who guided South Africa through a much-needed rebuild, has confirmed he will retire after the 2026 FIFA World Cup. That announcement has set local football circles buzzing and one name keeps rising to the surface: Gavin Hunt.

Hunt, the veteran tactician currently in charge of Durban City, has long been regarded as one of the most disciplined and experienced coaches in South African football. With over a thousand PSL matches under his belt, his credentials are undeniable. But could his club-style approach translate to the pressures and politics of international management?

A Coach Built On Discipline And Grit

Football journalist Bongani Mthimkhulu believes Hunt’s greatest strength lies in his structure, work ethic, and no-nonsense approach qualities that have shaped his coaching identity for decades. “His strength has always been in building teams over time,” Mthimkhulu explains. “At national level, you don’t get that time, but Hunt understands that reality. He knows that a Bafana coach is more of a selector than a trainer.”

It’s this awareness, Mthimkhulu suggests, that could make Hunt a strong candidate. While his methods often depend on daily interaction and long-term player development, his ability to create disciplined, results-driven teams might offer continuity after Broos’s structured reign.

A New Era Of Local Leadership

The debate over Bafana’s next coach has also reignited a broader conversation should the next leader be South African? Mthimkhulu believes the local coaching landscape is stronger than ever, with tacticians like Rulani Mokwena, Manqoba Mngqithi, Eric Tinkler, and Steve Barker all proving their mettle in the domestic league.

“These coaches understand the South African football DNA,” he says. “They know the player mentality, the challenges of local development, and the passion that drives the national team.”

If SAFA provides the same patience and strategic backing that Broos enjoyed, Mthimkhulu argues, there’s no reason a South African coach can’t take Bafana Bafana even further.

Hunt’s Vision: Structure Meets Intensity

Should Hunt take the helm, the biggest change fans might see is in energy and pace rather than philosophy. Under Broos, Bafana became organised and disciplined. Under Hunt, Mthimkhulu predicts, that structure would stay but with more aggression and directness.

“His football DNA is built on competitiveness,” Mthimkhulu notes. “You’d see quicker transitions, more pressing, and an even hungrier team.” Players like Teboho Mokoena, known for thriving under high-tempo systems, could play pivotal roles in this envisioned setup.

Experience Versus Politics

Despite Hunt’s qualifications, there’s an unspoken challenge that looms large SAFA’s history and internal politics. The 60-year-old coach has been shortlisted for the national job twice before, in 2010 and 2014, but was overlooked each time.

That history raises a familiar question: is South African football ready for a straight-talking, uncompromising leader? “Hunt has always been honest and outspoken,” Mthimkhulu says. “That can make some people uncomfortable, but accountability and high standards are exactly what the national setup needs.”

If SAFA is serious about maintaining Bafana’s resurgence beyond Broos, it might finally be time to hand the reins to a coach who knows the local game inside out and isn’t afraid to demand more.

{Source:Briefly}

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