Anyone who excels at club level is worth having a shot at Bafana Bafana. This is the message from South Africa head coach Hugo Broos, who says his door is open for everyone.
On the list of impressive players so far this season are the names of Mamelodi Sundowns’ Thembinkosi Lorch and Orlando Pirates duo Tshegofatso Mabasa and Monnapule Saleng.
All of these stars have been part of the national set-up under Broos, and it was short-lived.
“It is in the past but every player will have the possibility to be with us if they have good performances. If tomorrow Lorch starts making fantastic performances with Sundowns, why should he not be with us?” Broos said.
READ: Thabiso Sesane lists former Orlando Pirates & Bafana Bafana star as role model & inspiration
While insisting that his door is open for the best performing players, Broos has constantly ignored Mabasa, who recently netted and assisted in the MTN8 final against Stellenbosch.
The red-hot striker finished last term as the league’s top goal-getter with 16 to his name, and 21 across all competition – his best return yet in his professional career.
Mabasa currently sits on four goals across all competitions this season, tied with Rayners as the highest scoring South Africans in the early stages of the 2024/25 term.
“I can mention 10 names which we had but are no longer with us. I tried to build the team and it is hard for some players because when I saw them I was not satisfied and I looked for some other players.
“In two years, I have the team that I want with the right mentality and quality. We saw the results we had and I don’t see the reason why I should go two years back and this ‘yes, this one was also there,’,” Broos explained.
Broos was speaking ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers with Congo Brazzaville at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Friday evening.
Listed as the 59th best men’s national team by Fifa, Bafana recently slipped out of the top 10 in Africa as they are now ranked 11th after an unexpected draw with Uganda.
However, South Africa are still far superior – at least on paper – than Congo, who are 29th on the continent and 117th in the world.
Betting odds
South Africa 7/10 | Draw 29/10 | Congo Brazzaville 7/1
The odds are stacked against Congo as Bafana are expected to pick up maximum points at home. To place a bet on this and other Afcon qualifiers, click here.
2025 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifer
— Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) October 11, 2024
⚽️ Bafana Bafana 🇿🇦 vs 🇨🇬 Congo Brazzaville
🗓 11 October 2024
⏰️ 19h00
🏟 Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium#BafanaPride#AfconQualifier pic.twitter.com/gDBP0I4N19
