Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos reveals why he has already ‘broken his promise’

Newly appointed Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos announced his first national team squad, scheduled to take on the Ugandan Cranes, on Saturday with a few notable absentees.

The promise Hugo Broos made upon his arrival

Upon his appointment as Bafana Bafana coach, Broos made a statement on his intent to freshen up the national team with more youngsters. Those words would’ve sounded like music to the ears of many in the South African football fraternity. Due to the fact that South African football fans do not forget, they would’ve been keenly observing and analyzing the veteran Belgian mentor’s first 19-man squad.

It would then appear that Broos had not delivered on that promise, with the Bafana Bafana squad consisting of the likes of 32-year-old Thabang Monare, a selection that had already perplexed many when he was called up for the final two matches of the unsuccessful AFCON 2023 qualifying campaign. There was no hope that more of the players who have been selected in David Notoane’s Olympic u23 preliminary squad would be included in Broos’ squad to gain some senior national team experience.

READ | DROPPED! BAFANA BAFANA COACH HUGO BROOS EXPLAINS CAPTAIN THULANI HLATSHWAYO’S AXING

Broos has since explained his decision to select just two u23 players from that preliminary side.

BROOS HAS SINCE EXPLAINED HIS DECISION

“There is a tournament in Dubai from May 10 to June 12, and I can see the project made (by David Notoane), with the team qualifying for the Olympics. I don’t want to take the players for only one game,” said Broos,

Not all was lost for the young players, however, as at least two players from Notoane’s side were included in Broos’s Bafana Bafana squad in Sipho Mbule and Teboho Mokoena. The SuperSport United duo has formed a formidable partnership in the middle of the park for Matsantsantsa, which is something the new Bafana Bafana coach has kept an eye on for the future.

Two other youngsters who have forced themselves into Broos’s maiden squad are the Durban-based duo of former u20 international Sibusiso Mabiliso and forward Bongokuhle Hlongwane, who play for Amazulu and Maritzburg United, respectively.