Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos is concerned about the growing number of his players picking injuries ahead of the national team’s friendly international matches against Mozambique and Angola this week.
The South Africans face Mozambique on Thursday before locking horns with Angola on Sunday at the Mbombela Stadium in Mpumalanga.
Bafana are currently camping in the picturesque Mpumalanga and by Tuesday, players were still arriving in camp from various places.
Some of the players have been withdrawn from the squad, including Lyle Foster and Luke le Roux, leaving Broos worried.
“I am here with mixed feelings – happy and disappointed. I am happy because of this fantastic place that we are camping at. I am also happy that this camp is happening,” said the Bafana mentor.
“I said a few months ago that we needed this camp because in March we play against Liberia, so I am very happy about this camp and that we will play two games against good opponents. The matches will give us good preparations for the important games next year.”
Broos explained further: “I am disappointed that we wanted to play these two matches using the same players that played in our last international matches in September. We wanted to at least have 75% of those players, but the number of injuries at the moment is too high – so we cannot follow through the plan.
“We have Thibang Pete who is injured, we have Siphephelo Sithole who is also injured. Innocent Maela and Nkosinathi Sibisi are also out with injuries, so is Mihlali Mayambela. We also do not have Terrence Mashego and Percy Tau, who is not playing for his club.
“On the other side, it is an opportunity for other players to show their qualities and cement a place in the team for the future. Our ambition has not changed, I hope the players are ready to show [that] they are motivated to become Bafana stars in the future.
“It will be a huge boost to record another two victories this week, just like those two wins in September, so that we can go to the Afcon [Africa Cup of Nations] qualifiers against Liberia with full confidence.”
Bafana captain Ronwen Williams said he is honoured to be leading the team once again.
“This week, we are taking it very seriously, we are hyped and ready to be the difference, especially with March [when Afcon qualifiers resume] not too far away,” said Williams.
Orlando Pirates midfielder Miguel Timm expressed his joy after he received a call-up to the national team.
“To support from the bench or be active on the pitch, there is no time to mess around. We want to win. That’s the bigger picture which is always at the back of our minds.”
The two friendlies will be the last for Bafana before the Afcon qualifiers in just over four months.
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