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Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has stated that Kaizer Chiefs players will only be selected for the national team if he sees an improvement from their side this season.
Broos was straightforward with his feelings about Amakhosi's recent performance. He said their quality has not improved from last season despite having a new head coach in Molefi Ntseki and some new players.
Broos spoke this after he announced his squad yesterday for next month’s friendlies against Namibia on September 9 and the Democratic Republic of Congo on September 12, both set for Orlando Stadium.
The Belgian had previously selected Brandon Petersen, Given Msimango, Pule Mmodi and Sifiso Hlanti in his 36-man preliminary squad, but not one made the final squad.
He believes that the reason Amakhosi is not improving is because they have many new players, making it hard for them to blend in with already existing players.
They are still many points behind Mamelodi Sundowns, and I said it already: for any competition, it’s essential that the top teams are at the top of the ranking.
Broos also made comments on the Orlando Pirates' performance:
OK, Orlando Pirates won on Tuesday against Cape Town City, so there is only five [eight] points difference with Sundowns [before last night’s matches between Sundowns and Polokwane City and Chiefs v Stellenbosch].
He added:
Only five games, and you are already many points behind first team. It’s not a little team who is first.
He was adamant in his speech, citing that Chiefs must improve.
The game he saw last Saturday against AmaZulu, which he had personally attended to scout players for the national team. However, he was dismayed by what he witnessed and concluded that no player deserves to be at Bafana Bafana.
There are only four months left before the Africa Cup of Nations starts in Ivory Coast; Broos added that the team he will have for that tournament is almost 75% confirmed. However, he declared that the door is not closed on anyone yet.
Broos also said he would keep an eye on the progress of SuperSport United’s young defender, Ime Okon, who was also part of the preliminary squad but didn’t make it.
He said:
He is a good defender. When you look at the defender, the first important thing is, is he a defender?
Because now, in modern football, defenders are speaking about building up, yes, okay, if you have that, it is better. But first of all, he is defending, and a good defender for a young player like him who is not experienced.
Preliminary Bafana squad
Goalkeepers: Ronwen Williams, Veli Mothwa, Ricardo Goss
Defenders: Nyiko Mobbie, Thabiso Monyane, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Grant Kekana, Maphosa Modiba, Mothobi Mvala, Siyanda Xulu, Innocent Maela
Midfielders: Luke le Roux, Teboho Mokoena, Grant Margeman and Bathusi Aubaas
Forwards: Mihlali Mayambela, Themba Zwane, Kobamelo Kodisang, Percy Tau, Zakhele Lepasa, Lyle Foster, Lebo Mothiba, Monnapule Saleng.
