Through initial technical complications with Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos speaking from Belgium via the Internet, the South African football fraternity waited patiently with anticipation for the mentor's final squad for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.
The announcement, which reverberated through Thursday afternoon, ignited passionate discussion, fueled by notable omissions such as the PSL's joint-top scorer Khanyisa Mayo and South Africa's most high-profile current player abroad, Lyle Foster of Burnley.
Despite certain eyebrow-raising selections and the glaring absence of Kaizer Chiefs players, Dominic Isaacs, former Bafana and Chiefs defender, stands resolutely behind Broos' choices. In an exclusive interview with Soccer Laduma, the Cape Town-based veteran offered a voice of reason amidst the swirling storm of opinions.
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"I think Broos has his reasons for selecting this squad. Let's leave the coach to do his job and all we need to do is support him. Correct me if I am wrong. He did the same with Cameroon and he proved his doubters wrong by winning the AFCON with a team that many doubted. Even then he dropped many super stars from the team," Isaacs told the Siya crew.
Isaacs acknowledged the organizational stumbles that plagued Banyana Banyana, emphasizing the sanctity of financial support for the players.
"You know, no matter what, people will always be unhappy. The only worry I have is the organisational part of it. We should not experience what we experienced with Banyana Banyana regarding money issues. If there is money meant for the players whether from CAF or any other organisation let's it go to the players and not to SAFA. SAFA should find their own ways of making money. The players should get everything that is meant for them.
"They should remember that the European-based players have sacrificed a lot to serve their nation as they can lose their places in the their clubs when they are with the national team. They should respect them for that. And as a country we should support them instead of doubting them."
While accepting Broos' prerogative, Isaacs couldn't resist a friendly nudge with certain selections.
"Oh yeah, the other thing, I differ with the coach on Njabulo Blom and Bongi (Bongokuhle) Hlongwane. He said they have not played for some months but that's when you need to give them the chance in a training camp to catch up with the others. I know Blom has been training with SuperSport United and Bongi I think with Maritzburg United. He could have given them a chance."
Ultimately, Isaacs' message echoed a rallying cry.
"But as I have already said, he has his own reasons why he had left other players out and selected the ones he has. He has the experience of playing at AFCON and we should support him now and I hope they can go all the way just like he did with Cameroon. If we don't support them we will be discouraging them. It's like leaving home going to play a big match and people are fighting you for cornflakes. How will you concentrate like that? So let's rally behind the team and give them the support they need," Isaacs concluded.
The AFCON runs from January 13 to February 11 in the Ivory Coast.
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