Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has explained his decision to make a u-turn on Themba Zwane, but it seems the door is still closed for the player's Mamelodi Sundowns teammate Andile Jali.
Initially, it appeared as though Broos would never consider for selection, but things have changed due to the player's form and the unavailability of some regular members of the squad who are either injured or not getting game-time at their clubs.
READ: How Chiefs' Bad Start Cost Maart Dolly
Zwane remains one of Sundowns' important players, as he is a key component in attack for the DStv Premiership champions.
He is the most experienced player in the 23-man squad Broos has selected for the upcoming international friendlies against Sierra Leone and Botswana.
"Only fools don't change their minds. I said a lot of things about Zwane. I confirm that. I came here and I tried to have a young team. I tried younger players and every time there was (people saying) 'Zwane, Zwane, Zwane'. But I said he is 32.
"But when I see him playing, maybe this is the guy we can use. He is an intelligent player. He can score. He has had great performances with his team. I think we need to give him a chance, especially now that (Percy) Tau is not there, Fagrie (Lakay) is not there, (Evidence) Makgopa is not there, Bongukuhle (Hlongwane) is not there. There are four strikers who are not there."
READ: Broos Names Latest Bafana Bafana Squad
Broos insists he did not have any pressure to select Zwane, despite several calls time and again from supporters for the player to be included in the squad.
"It's certainly not based on pressure. Certainly not. If I should do it on pressure, then I should have done it six months ago. The pressure was there from the first selection. Every time the question was there - 'where is Zwane'? It's not because the pressure was there. But like I say, only fools don't change their mind."
You must be Sign In to read and post comments.
Sign In
