As South Africa gears up for its upcoming international fixtures, national team coach Hugo Broos is setting the stage for Bafana Bafana to evolve beyond the reliance on Mamelodi Sundowns stars.
For almost a decade, Sundowns have formed the backbone of the national team, but they are unavailable due to the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup. This will allow Broos to run the rule over new players, starting with Friday’s friendly against Tanzania at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane (kick-off at 7.30pm).
Broos has a second chance next Tuesday to cultivate a more diverse talent pool that reflects the rich tapestry of footballing capabilities across the nation. Bafana will host Mozambique next Tuesday evening at the same venue.
Broos, who took the reins of Bafana in 2021, has been vocal about the necessity for growth, not just on an individual level but across the entire squad. Sundowns have dominated local football in recent years and have produced a wealth of talent that has bolstered the national team. However, Broos firmly believes that focusing solely on Sundowns players could lead to stagnation, especially as the landscape of South African football continues to evolve.
“We must look beyond one club; we need to ensure we have a holistic approach to team selection. Many of their players are 30 years or older,” Broos remarked.
“South Africa is bursting with potential in various leagues and teams. Our strategy must involve broadening our squad to include players from different backgrounds and experiences, which will only strengthen our national identity.”
The coach’s sentiments echo the aspirations of many South African football enthusiasts who believe in tapping into unexploited talent scattered throughout the country’s domestic leagues.
“We’re playing friendly games. I think it’s a good opportunity for everyone to prove themselves to show their qualities for us to make evaluations after these two friendly games,” said Broos.
“Sundowns have always been very important in the national team. We will do it without the Sundowns players, and having too many players from one club is not good.
“As you know I am not a coach who always looks only at the top teams to get players, I always look at other teams as well.
“We will do it without Sundowns players. Let’s hope that we can find some other players too. It’s very interesting for me to see players from other teams in these friendly games.”
Tanzania, who are also preparing for the resumption of World Cup qualifiers in September, as well as the upcoming Cecafa Senior Men’s Challenge Cup, were last in action in March, recording a 3-0 home win over Congo and a 2-0 defeat away to Morocco.
The Taifa Stars have selected a strong squad, featuring a strong representation from Simba SC, who reached the final of the CAF Confederation Cup.
Tanzania is also boosted by the presence of foreign-based stars Simon Msuva (Al Talaba, Iraq), Selemani Mwalimu (Wydad AC, Morocco) and Alphonse Mabula (Shamakhi, Azerbaijan).
Tanzania coach Hemed Suleiman has acknowledged Bafana Bafana will be a tough opponent.
“South Africa are currently performing well,” he said. “We also have a strong team, so it’s a good opportunity to see how we measure up.
“It’s encouraging to get opportunities like these. We’ve become more competitive, and that’s what Tanzanians should expect—positive results and strong performances.
“Our squad is a mix of experienced and young players, and these games provide a great platform for building confidence and developing team chemistry.”
Broos is set to hand out many debuts, with new faces expected in the starting line-up.
