Hugo Broos: Glory days now, but new Bafana talent must be brought in

The Star

5 days ago

Mihlali Baleka | Published 2 hours ago
Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos admits that the glory days are on the horizon for South African football, but he's pleaded for the nurturing of youngsters and continuity.
Bafana and their female counterparts Banyana Banyana ended the 2024 calendar year on a high note as they qualified for this year's Afcon and Wafcon finals.
As such, the junior men's national teams followed in their footsteps early in the year as the Under-17 men's team and Bafana's B team qualified for the World Cup and Chan finals respectively.
However, the Under-20 men's team achieved their own targets in style as they won their maiden Afcon title in Egypt, having already qualified for the World Cup after reaching the semi-final.
'These are glory days for South African football, I think,' said Broos after announcing his 23-member squad yesterday for Bafana's two international friendlies in June.
'Under-17 and Under-20 have qualified for the World Cup. We have qualified for Afcon. Banyana have good results.
'Yeah, from the bottom to the highest level, everything is good at the moment. But I think we are at the crossroad for the moment – now we have to react as a football federation.
'If we are just happy now, I can assure you that in two-three years, you won't find anything of what we have now. So, we have to work hard now, and follow-up.'
By following up, Broos means the junior national teams' players must be slowly but gradually integrated into the senior team, so that they are not lost in the system for future.
The 73-year-old is putting his money where his mouth is at as he named a youthful squad for their two friendlies against Tanzania and Mozambique in Polokwane and Loftus in June.
Broos handed 10 players their maiden national team call-up, including Pirates quartet Deano van Rooyen, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Simphiwe Selepe and Mohau Nkota.
The bulk of the new faces in the Bafana fold are replacing Mamelodi Sundowns players who'll be competing in the Club World Cup next month.
But with Sundowns' players set to be available for the next camp, the World Cup qualifiers in September emphasised that he would still go with most of them.
'We have to see the new players who are in the squad, whether they are at the level to play for Bafana Bafana. That is the first thing,' Broos said.
'But I am sure already, it might be too soon for some of them to be ready to play at that level. The only reason we called them up is because we are looking into the future.
'We have a number of players who are 30 (years old) and more in the team. So, not next week, month or in September, but we have to slowly but surely replace these players in the future.'
The majority of the new players at Bafana might only be considered for major games in future, but Broos said it'll be important for them to leave a lasting impression now.
'I will observe them – out of the pitch, on the pitch, during the game and on training,' Broos explained.
'It's not only about seeing the level of achievement, or the talent. But I don't know the guy that is there, and that for me is very important.
'In the next 10 days, I will see how they'll react in some situations. How they are with their teammates, and when eating together. This is very important to me!'
Bafana Squad
Goalkeepers: Ricardo Goss, Sipho Chaine, Renaldo Leaner
Defenders: Khulumani Ndamane, Nyiko Mobbie, Thabo Moloisane, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Deano van Rooyen, Samukelo Kabini, Fawaaz Basadien
Midfielders: Simphiwe Selepe, Thalente Mbatha, Ndamulelo Maphangule, Luke le Roux
Forwards: Yanela Mbuthuma, Relebohile Mofokeng, Oswin Appollis, Mohau Nkota, Patrick Maswanganyi, Tshepang Moremi, Sinoxolo Kwayiba, Ashley Cupido