South Africa head coach reported over racist comments towards player ahead of AFCON

South Africa’s National Men’s Football Team head coach, Hugo Broos, has been reported to the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) for allegedly making racist comments towards South Africa National Team Player Mbekezeli Mbokazi.

The United Democratic Movement (UDM)- a South African political party- said they had reported Broos for the alleged comments he made after Mbokazi’s surprise move from Orlando Pirates to the Chicago Fire in the Major League Soccer.

20 year old defender Mbokazi signed a four year deal to join Chicago Fire after getting named in South Africa’s team for the 2025 AFCON. South Africa is in Group B with Angola, Egypt and Zimbabwe at the AFCON.

However, his move to the United States of America angered Broos who questioned the timing of the move and the league Mbokazi was heading to.

Broos was also angered by Mbokazi’s late arrival to South Africa’s pre-AFCON camp by stating according to ESPN,

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

This statement has angered many in South Africa- a country that has a long history with racial tensions prompting the UDM to issue a statement signed by Secretary-General Yongama Zigebe stating,

“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” according to TimesLIVE.

The UDM statement also called for an investigation into the issue that could cause a serious rift between Broos and his players ahead of the AFCON.