‘I was almost shot for Victor Osimhen comparison’ – Hugo Broos reveals

South Africa’s national team coach, Hugo Broos, has criticized the country’s media for their harsh response to his comparison of Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen to local hero Percy Tau.

During an appearance on the Frank&Franky podcast, the Belgian coach faced backlash after suggesting that Tau is not on the same level as Osimhen and Senegalese star Sadio Mane, labeling them as “big players.”

Broos revealed that his remarks sparked controversy, with some media outlets and fans vehemently opposing his assessment of Tau’s status in comparison to Osimhen and Mane.

“They almost shot me for it because I said Percy Tau is not a big player,” Broos remarked, highlighting the intensity of the backlash he faced. “When I talk about a big player, I think of (Sadio) Mane at Senegal or Osimhen at Nigeria.”

Broos added: ” The press then makes Percy Tau out to be a real star player. Strangely enough, Tau was then bombarded with criticism afterwards because he didn’t play well.”

Broos defended his stance, reiterating his belief that players like Victor Osimhen, who has excelled with Italian club Napoli, operate at a higher level than Tau.

Despite Tau’s notable contributions to South African football, including stints in the Premier League with Brighton and prominent performances for Bafana Bafana, Broos maintains that Osimhen’s achievements and impact on the global stage elevate him to a different status.

The 71-year-old coach expressed dissatisfaction with the reaction to his comments, stating that they were made in a light-hearted context during the podcast.

Broos and his South African squad are scheduled to face Victor  Osimhen and the Super Eagles of Nigeria in a crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier, setting the stage for an intriguing encounter between the two sides.