Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos unveiled his 23-man squad on Thursday for the crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Nigeria and Zimbabwe, sparking discussions on his selection choices.
The mix of fresh and familiar faces in the squad highlighted Broos' strategy, yet the omission of DStv Premiership top scorer Tshegofatso Mabasa raised eyebrows among fans and analysts alike. Mabasa, who has been in exceptional form since returning from a loan spell at Moroka Swallows in January, has notably revitalized his career at Orlando Pirates.
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His prowess in front of goal, becoming a consistent threat to defenders and showcasing an impressive scoring frequency, made his absence from the national team squad a point of contention, especially given his competition with Stellenbosch FC's Iqraam Rayners for the top scorer title.
Addressing the media, Broos explained the tough decisions he had to make in assembling the squad.
"You know, this is what we said in the beginning of the programme. The choice you have to make and if I take Mabasa now, you'll tell me why I didn't take Iqraam (Rayners) so it's a choice you have to make," the Belgian coach stated during an SABC Sport broadcast, emphasizing the difficult nature of national team selections.
Broos also touched on the aspect of form versus consistency, indicating that while Mabasa's current hot streak is commendable, the real test will be whether he can maintain this level of performance into the next season.
"Mabasa was already with us, but okay in that moment you can't decide on one game, it was a disaster that game for him and then he was somewhere and it was not Mabasa, Mabasa anymore or what we thought it was," Broos reflected on the striker's past involvement with the national team.
"Now, since he is in Pirates, he is coming again and he is showing he is not a bad striker so let's wait next season and see if he can conclude like this," added Broos, leaving the door open for Mabasa's future inclusion based on sustained performances.
Bafana, currently second in Group C, face a challenging schedule with an away game against the Super Eagles in Uyo, followed by a home match against Zimbabwe four days later. As the team prepares for these pivotal qualifiers, the squad selection by Broos underscores the balance between current form and long-term consistency, setting the stage for a compelling campaign on the road to the World Cup.
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