DROPPED! Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos explains captain Thulani Hlatshwayo’s axing

Newly appointed Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has named his first national team squad and has already made a big decision by dropping captain Thulani Hlatshwayo.

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Earlier this week SAFA announced that they had organised a friendly match for Bafana Bafana against the Ugandan national team. After also revealing his new local assistant coach Helman “Midnight Express” Mkhelele, he has since revealed a 19-man squad for that fixture, on Saturday afternoon, one that didn’t include regular national team captain Hlatshwayo.

Hlatshwayo’ dream move threatens to turn sour at Pirates

Hlatshwayo joined his boyhood club Orlando Pirates from now-defunct Bidvest Wits at the beginning of this season, in what was undoubtedly a dream move. After a solid start to his time at the Buccaneers which even saw him earning the club’s much-coveted captain early on. However, it has since been anything but, the stuff of dreams for the 31-year-old as his form has plunged at a rapid rate in recent months.

READ | ORLANDO PIRATES’ THULANI HLATSHWAYO OWNS UP AND SAYS SORRY BEFORE SEEKING TIME OUT

The dire nature of his form seemed to reach its final straw, as after a period which included an own goal as well as an error leading to a goal against Mamelodi Sundowns, he reportedly owned up to his poor form, apologized for it and even went as far requesting some time out to properly deal with his situation. Pirates coach Josef Zinnbauer opted to protect Hlatshwayo, however, but it seems like he will receive no such privileges under Broos for Bafana Bafana.

Broos explains Hlatshwayo’s omission

Broos has since revealed that he has been receiving help from Mkhelele with regards to the makeup of his first Bafana Bafana squad. That, even including the omission of Hlatshwayo.

“I was getting a lot of information in the last few days, I talked with my assistant (Helman Mkhalele is the new Bafana head coach) and I made a list, I didn’t look at who was captain,” said Broos.

“I just wanted a good list, it is for the first time and we will see. In September (for the start of the 2022 Soccer World Cup qualifiers) there will be other names, I am sure, and maybe the captain will be there again. I also heard he didn’t have a good season, but he is not forgotten,” he continued

It would have undoubtedly been interesting to see if Broos would’ve stuck to his decision had Bafana Bafana been scheduled to play the World Cup qualifiers as was initially the case.

One thing is for sure, however, and that is Hlatshwayo will be receiving no captain’s privileges and he now has his work cut out for him if he is to return to the fold in September.