Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has cautioned that national team players who are not getting regular club game time could find themselves omitted from future squads, with the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) fast approaching.
Fresh from qualifying for their first FIFA World Cup since 2002, Broos was speaking after naming his squad for this month’s friendly clash against Zambia in Gqeberha, which includes several players currently struggling for minutes at their respective clubs.
Among those are Nkosinathi Sibisi, Bathusi Aubaas, Thalente Mbatha, and Sipho Mbule, all of whom have seen limited action recently.
‘In the short term it is not a problem, but it could be a problem in the long term, and that is true,’ Broos stated.
He questioned why some local clubs carry such large squads, adding: ‘I know because I had a meeting with the coach of Pirates (Abdeslam Ouaddou), and I asked him questions. He has about 35 players, and it is not easy to please everyone.’
Broos pointed out that while rotation may keep club squads balanced, it can also disrupt consistency for national team regulars, as per TimesLive.
‘I saw their Pirates’ game against Golden Arrows during the week; Mbule and Mbatha were playing, and I was happy with their performances,’ he said.
‘For the moment it is not really a problem, but if it continues, one day I will have to take a decision and call someone else because they will not have enough games.’
Still, Broos hinted that patience will only go so far, noting: ‘On the other side, I also have to watch that those things are not happening for two months or more.’
‘In the past I have left players out because they did not play enough matches for their team, and it may happen again,’ he added.
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