Hugo Broos Racist Comment

South Africa Head Coach Accused Of Racism Ahead of AFCON

Arijit Das

Published - Dec 13, 2025, 09:45 AM

3 min

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Summary

While South Africa gears up for their AFCON competition, a Hugo Broos racist comment has caused controversy in the football community.
Broos's comment towards a National Team player has prompted UDM to take strong action.
Check out everything we know about the Hugo Broos racist comment.

Ahead of AFCON, a Hugo Broos racist comment has caused quite a stir among the football fans of the world. South Africa faces Angola in their group opening game on 22nd December 2025. Looking at how Hugo Broos has changed the fortunes of the South Africa National Football Team, the talking point thus far has been how well they will perform in their group, featuring the likes of Egypt, Zimbabwe, and Angola.

However, in Wednesday's press conference, Hugo Broos racist comment toward Mbekezeli Mbokazi have turned quite a few heads. In addition to being factually incorrect, the comment has caused quite a controversy due to how inappropriate it is.

South Africa Head Coach Controversy: What Hugo Broos Said?

Following the inclusion of Mbokazi in the 2025 AFCON squad of South Africa, the Mbekezeli Mbokazi transfer to MLS took place. The 20-year-old defender signed a 4-year deal with the Chicago Fire.

Neither the destination of the transfer nor the timing of it sat well with the South African head coach. Addressing the transfer news, Broos made a comment that has put the head coach under the spotlight, and for all the wrong reasons.

“I can assure you: he (Mbokazi) is a black guy, but he will get out of my room as a white guy," said Broos.

The comment has angered all the South African fans, along with the footballing community worldwide.

UDM's Response to Hugo Broos Racist Comment

Given how inappropriate the comment is, the statement prompted quick action from the UDM, which issued a signed statement that states,

“The reported comments, racially coded, derogatory and gender-diminishing, cannot be dismissed as off-hand remarks.”
“They carry historical and cultural significance in a society still healing from the institutionalisation of racism and sexism. Public figures, particularly those entrusted with national teams, bear heightened obligations to uphold the values of non-racialism, non-sexism, respect and equality”

In addition to the statement on Hugo Broos racist comment, there is an investigation going on. The jury on whether their will be changes to the head coach position is still out for the moment.