After a few training sessions with his makeshift squad, Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos was impressed with his charges and says they are ready for the friendly international against Tanzania at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Friday night. Kick-off is at 7.30pm.
Broos has had to pick a relatively new squad, with league champions Mamelodi Sundowns players not available for selection.
Sundowns will be travelling to the Fifa Club World Cup that gets underway in the US next Saturday.
As a result, the Belgian has included newcomers such as Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Deano van Rooyen, Mohau Nkota, Simphiwe Selepe (all Orlando Pirates), Khulumani Ndamani (TS Galaxy), Renaldo Learner, Ashley Cupido, Thabo Moloisane (all Stellenbosch FC), Tshepang Moremi (AmaZulu), Yanela Mbuthuma (Richards Bay), and Sinoxolo Kwayiba (Chippa United).
Widening a pool of players
The selection of new players will assist the Bafana coach in widening his pool of players ahead of this year’s Africa Cup of Nations tournament and the qualifiers for the 2026 Fifa World Cup.
The players will also be looking at making an impression and to be part of the Bafana team going forward.
“I’m pleased with what I saw in the past few days of this new and young group of players, and not only what I saw on the pitch but also outside the pitch,” said Broos.
“There are many new players with the national team; they know each other as opponents, but it’s always different when you are in the same team.
“You see each other from the moment you wake up until you go to sleep, so it was a little bit quiet. But the last few days, everything was the way it should be.”
Broos continued: “On the pitch at training, I see a very motivated group — a group that is aware of the opportunity they have to play for the national team and a group that also knows that with the opportunity they have now, they have to try and grab it with both hands.”
Sibisi and Basadien to share armband
Broos also announced that Fawaaz Basadien, the Stellenbosch FC defender, will captain the team against Tanzania. Nkosinathi Sibisi will take over the armband against Mozambique on Tuesday next week.
“I did not expect it to come so soon, but at the same time, it is an honour and a privilege to be the captain of the national team,” said Basadien.
“It is one of the things you dream about while growing up as a footballer. I did not expect it to come as soon as it did, but I am ready and prepared to help the younger players.
“When I first came to the national team, there were guys who helped me. So, I am willing to do the same with the younger players.
“The last time we played here in Polokwane, it was in [front of] a packed stadium. So I expect the same tomorrow [Friday].”
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