Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has made a bold statement which would put a smile on the face of Orlando Pirates striker Evidence Makgopa.
Makgopa, a participant at the Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast earlier this year, has been included in the Bafana squad for the first time in the 2025 qualifying campaign of the competition set to be played in Morocco.
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The former Baroka FC striker has six goals in all competitions for the Buccaneers this season, impressing Broos who admitted that the player will always get selected when the opportunity presents itself.
Makgopa was selected ahead of his Pirates teammate Tshegofatso Mabasa, who was in the preliminary squad.
"I like Evidence (Makgopa). I like him since I am here. He is a guy with potential and everybody was surprised when he went with us to AFCON and they were more surprised that he played. But I think when you see the performances of Evidence that we can only be happy. It's not a fantastic big player, but he is so useful for the team and I see it now in Pirates. He is so useful for the team (and) he starts scoring also," Broos said after naming his squad on Thursday afternoon.
"So, he is confident. He is the type of player we don't have. (He is) good with the head. I like him. When the opportunity is there, Evidence will always be with us."
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Stellenbosch FC goalkeeper Sage Stephens has been included in the squad for the first time since Broos took charge of the national team
"First of all, he deserves it. He's a good keeper. He is older, but age doesn't always have to play a certain role. Veli doesn't play anymore in AmaZulu as he was a little bit out of form after his mistake against Uganda. And Ricardo Goss is injured. He has a groin injury and he can't be with us. There was a place for Stephens and the first thing I thought was Sage."
