Hugo Broos Announce Bafana Squad, Comments On Zungu Snub
Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has announced the 23-man squad to face Morocco in the opening match of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Broos originally selected 37 players to a preliminary squad about 10 days ago and has now reduced it to the 23 players who will do battle against a side he said was the team to beat in Group K after the continental football governing body, the Confederation of African Football (CAF), confirmed the draw for the 2023 Afcon last month.
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The Bafana Bafana versus Morocco match will take place at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in the North African country’s coastal city of Rabat on 9 June 2023.
South Africa is in Group K, which includes Liberia. The fourth team, Zimbabwe, is suspended from international tournaments and won’t participate in the qualifiers.
Goalkeepers: Ronwen Williams (SuperSport United), Veli Mothwa (AmaZulu), Bruce Bvuma (Kaizer Chiefs).
Defenders: Nyiko Mobbie (Sekhukhune United), Khuliso Mudau, Grant Kekana, Lyle Lakay, (all Mamelodi Sundowns), Bandile Shandu, Innocent Maela (both Orlando Pirates), Thibang Phete (Belenenses, Portugal), Taariq Fielies, Terrence Mashego (both Cape Town City).
Midfielders: Spephele Sithole (Belenenses, Portugal), Goodman Mosele (Orlando Pirates), Yusuf Maart (Sekhukhune), Phathutshedzo Nange (Kaizer Chiefs).
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Strikers: Thembinkosi Lorch (Pirates), Evidence Makgopa (Baroka FC), Khanyisa Mayo (Cape Town City), Fagrie Lakay (Pyramids, Egypt), Lyle Foster (Westerlo, Belgium), Bongokuhle Hlongwane (Minnesota FC, USA), Percy Tau (Al Ahly, Egypt).
Broos also spoke spoke about the snub of Bongani Zungu who used to be a regular for the national team. “I see what happened [with him] in France,” Broos said during his squad announcement on SABC Sport. “I am very sorry but this is not a guy who has to be with our group – for the moment.
“I don’t speak only about his qualities as a player, but when you see the troubles he had with Amiens this year, he didn’t play in half of the games because there was trouble.
“It was not because he was not good enough but because there were troubles. Three or four months ago, the trainer and the chairman of the club wanted to get him away.
“What is important is the attitude and the mentality of the player. One player can mess up everything because he doesn’t have the right mentality.
“For the moment, I will not pick Zungu, because when I see what happened at Amiens, it can happen here, and that I don’t want.”
