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IOL News
a day ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Broos pleased with Bafana Bafana and PSL teams' continental strides
BAFANA Bafana coach Hugo Broos is pleased with strides made by local teams like Orlando Pirates who boast in their arsenal the likes of Relebohile Mofokeng and Mohau Nkota. Photo: Backpagepix Hugo Broos is proud of the upward trajectory of Bafana Bafana and PSL sides' in Africa recently as he believes the two parties have had a beneficial relationship. The kings of continental football will officially be crowned in Cairo on Sunday night as PSL outfit Mamelodi Sundowns will be away to Egyptians, Pyramids. The South Africans are on a backfoot heading into the match as the hosts have an away goal advantage after the first leg ended in a 1-1 draw last Saturday in Pretoria. However, whatever happens after the final whistle, Sundowns have already made the nation proud by marching all the way to the final for the first time since 2016. The Brazilians were not the only PSL team that flew the national flag high on the continent, though, as rivals Orlando Pirates and Stellenbosch also made their mark. Pirates, of Mohau Nkota who also received his first Bafana call-up, and Stellies went as far as the Champions League and Confederation Cup semi-final in which they lost to Pyramids and Simba respectively. The trio's strides in Africa augurs well for the national team as Bafana aim to win Afcon for the first time in 29 years in December and are on the brink of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup. But with Sundowns set to play in the FIFA Club World Cup next month in the US, Broos decided against calling up their players for the two friendlies in June. Bafana will face Tanzania at New Peter Mokoba Stadium on Friday in the first friendly, before hosting Mozambique at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium four days later in the last one. Broos' final 23-member squad for the two matches is largely made up of Pirates players, and that's why he's expected to start most of them in Polokwane - setting the tone for the friendlies. After all, Pirates - like Sundowns and Stellies - know what it takes to navigate the continent after their stellar strides in recent months. 'The reason why Bafana was doing well in the past 10 years is because most of the players were coming from the teams that played on the continent,' Broos, the Bafana coach, said. 'They had the experience of a level that is a little higher than the PSL, and that helped a lot. When I came here I had players that didn't have much international experience. 'So, we have that now - Pirates were close to playing in the final. We could have had a final between two SA teams - Mamelodi Sundowns and Pirates. 'If you have that it means the progression that SA teams had in the past few years has been very good. 'And I also think the progress that Bafana had also helped the teams to achieve those performances and results (on the continent).' Sure, Sundowns' players will be absent from the camp, but Broos has emphasised that they'll always be his best players - that's why he declined a friendly against the No 1 ranked side in Africa, Morocco. Broos, though, will also be interested to see how his Mamelodi Sundowns' counterpart Miguel Caroso uses the talismanic and fan-favourite Themba Zwane in the next few weeks. Zwane recently returned from a lengthy injury, which was career threatening. As such, Cardoso has been trying to manage him, including benching him for the first leg. 'I can't judge now which level he's on,' Broos said of Zwane. 'So, maybe, it's a little bit too soon for him. So we will see what happens later. 'But again, when I see his talent and capabilities, I am sure that he can still help us (as the national team). 'Yes (I still believe in him), but he has to perform at the same level as before, and that is something I cannot judge now.'
IOL News
2 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Themba Zwane and Danny Jordaan played a key role in Hugo Broos deciding against an early resignation from his Bafana Bafana post
Broos might have not won the Afcon crown like Barker did 29 years ago, but he's made some great strides since taking over the reins. Earlier this month, Broos became the longest serving Bafana coach, surpassing the record of the late Clive Barker, who was in charge for exactly four years. Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has revealed what made him make a last-gasp decision to not step down from his post after a torrid start. Broos led Bafana to a podium finish in the last Afcon - which was the first after more than two decades, qualified for back-to-back Afcons finals and is on the verge of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup. But those nearly didn't come into fruition. Broos nearly resigned in the first few months of his five-year contract after being heavily criticised by all and sundry. 'No, certainly in the first year (it wasn't easy),' Broos recalled. 'I know that it is also your job (the media personnel) to criticise, but sometimes the critics were not fair. 'When you lose 5-0 against the world champions, it's not fair to criticise. You have to be smart enough to see this is normal, especially with an inexperienced team. 'But for many people it wasn't. They always referred to the 2010 World Cup when they beat France, but forgetting there was big trouble in the French team (then). 'We lost to Morocco 2-1, and we were criticised. And Morocco was fourth six months later in the World Cup, so that was not fair.' There was a time that the criticism became unbearable that the 72-year-old opened up to his then assistant what he thought of it and his future with the national team. 'I went back home after the first year, and I said to my assistant at that time Cedo (Janevski) that 'I won't go back. It's not nice what they are doing to me',' the Belgian explained. 'I came back, and said if things go on, in the New Year, I will go not back and things will be finished. Then suddenly, I selected (Themba) Zwane and things changed. 'The guy was 33 or 34 years old at the time. You couldn't build a future around that. But yeah, Themba is a talented boy and he helped us a lot. 'He came, and we selected a few other players. And suddenly why, I don't know, but boom, things were getting better and better till our lengthy unbeaten run.'
TimesLIVE
3 days ago
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
'You have to make the right choice': Bafana coach Broos on Mofokeng's European prospects
A year ago, Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos warned of rushing Relebohile Mofokeng to find a club in Europe saying the Orlando Pirates attacker needed at least one more season in the PSL and also to gain experience playing in the Caf Champions League. After announcing his squad to face Tanzania and Mozambique in friendlies early next month the Bafana coach was asked how he now feels about the 20-year-old who had trials with Premier League club Wolves last year. Mofokeng is now a regular at Bafana and was included in the squad to play Tanzania and Mozambique where he will be accompanied by other promising young players from Pirates — Mbezekeli Mbokazi, Simphiwe Selepe and Mohau Nkota. In the season that has just finished, Mofokeng played a huge role in helping Pirates reach the semifinals of the Champions League where he contributed five goals and provided three assists in the 13 games he played. Mofokeng's contributions in the Betway Premiership to help Pirates finish second for a third time in a row were also not bad for someone who is not an out-and-out striker.
The South African
3 days ago
- Sport
- The South African
Broos warns three Orlando Pirates stars about moving to Europe
Bafana Bafana Hugo Broos says Orlando Pirates youngsters need to make the right choices if they decide to move to Europe. The 72-year-old has called eight Bucs players to his Bafana team, which will face Mozambique and Tanzania next month. The eight Pirates players include Relebohile Mofokeng, Mohau Nkota and Mbekezeli Mbokazi. 'The only advice I can give is, they have to make the right choice. That's the only advice, like Mbokazi has played 15 games for Orlando Pirates, going to Europe? Okay, it would be no problem, but you have to make the right choice,' Broos said. The experienced coach said the Bucs youngsters should only move if they are guaranteed game time. 'If you go to a club where you don't play or don't have a chance to play, I think then it's better to stay one more year at Orlando Pirates,' Broos added. 'So that's up to the player, his family, and to his agent. I hope his agent is looking to the future of the player and not to his wallet'. 'Let's hope that if they go to Europe, they will play there, Rele, Nkota, and all those they are saying might go to Europe, they will progress if they play there, so they will become better players. 'Look what happened with Shandre [Campbell] at Brugge, ok, he didn't play for the first team, but he played in the second division in Belgium, it's a tough division. I can assure you, and I'm sure he made progress, it's the most important thing. 'So, when I say they need to choose a good team or choose a good club, it doesn't mean directly they have to play in the first team, but they have to play and at a good level. 'I hope these players, if they go to Europe, because it's not the first time I hear many rumours of players going to Europe, and then nobody goes. Let's hope that if they are going, it's to the right club,' The Bafana coach concluded. With Mamelodi Sundowns players unavailable for June friendlies, Broos has picked most of his players from Orlando Pirates. The likes of Mofokeng, have been part of the coach's setup for over a year as he looks to blend in youngsters with experience. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
3 days ago
- Sport
- The South African
BREAKING: Bafana starlet wanted by London giants Chelsea!
Bafana and Cape Town City youngster Emile Witbooi has piqued the interest of Premier League giants Chelsea, who have invited the 16-year-old phenom for a second assessment. 'Chelsea have made enquiries if he can go back for further training and assessment,' an inside source revealed. 'It's believed that they are looking at integrating him into their Under-18 team so that he can move through the ranks as he grows. It's believed that they were impressed when he was last there and they have been keeping tabs on his progress and that's why they still need him.' However, another source believes Chelsea's verdict on the Bafana prospect will come after the upcoming U-17 World Cup in Qatar, scheduled from November 3 to 27. 'I don't think even if Cape Town City want him to go it could be now or soon as they are still monitoring other interest from Europe as well. They are believed to want to see what will happen at the Under-17 FIFA World Cup in Qatar later this year. Though at the moment Chelsea are in the forefront,' the second insider revealed. Meanwhile, Bafana Bafana's senior team is gearing up for next weeks international friendlies against Tanzania and Mozambique. Bafana broos named his squad for the upcoming fixtures, which features no Kaizer Chiefs players: Goalkeepers: Renaldo Leaner, Ricardo Goss, Sipho Chaine Defenders: Sydney Mobbie, Samukelo Kabini, Thabo Moloisane, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Khulumani Ndamane, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Deano van Rooyen, Fawaaz Basadien Midfielders: Luke le Roux, Thalente Mbatha, Ndamlulelo Maphangule, Simphiwe Selepe Forwards: Oswin Appollis, Patrick Maswanganyi, Ashley Cupido, Relebohile Mofokeng, Tshepang Moremi, Yanela Mbuthuma, Mohau Nkota, Sinoxolo Kwayiba Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
