Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos announced the 23-man squad that will face Liberia in a two-legged AFCON qualifier later this month.
Broos had initially named 35 players in his provisional squad. On Thursday, he trimmed it to 23.
The Belgian coach was visibly angry when he spoke about one of the overseas players’ availability.
The Bafana mentor is unhappy with Njabulo Blom’s Major League Side [MLS] side lack of communication regarding the midfielder.
Broos has since threatened to take St Louis City to FIFA if Blom doesn’t show up for the national team camp without a valid reason.
Bafana players are expected to report to camp in Johannesburg on Sunday, 19 March 2023.
South Africa will face Liberia in a two-legged tie for the 2023 AFCON qualification.
The first leg will take place at Orlando Stadium on Friday, 24 March 2023. The game will start at 18:00. Bafana will then jet off to Liberia for the second leg on Tuesday, 28 March 2023.
Blom did not feature for St Louis City‘s league clash on Sunday, citing that the ex-Kaizer Chiefs midfielder is not feeling well.
However, St Louis has failed to update Bafana on what’s really bothering the 23-year-old footballer.
As per the national team’s standard procedure, a player should present himself at the camp to be examined by the side’s medical team for a decision to be taken thereafter.
HUGO BROOS ON NJABULO BLOM
“Njabulo played the first two league games, last game he didn’t play. So, we made immediate contact with St Louis to ask what was happening. They said he’s sick but failed to tell us exactly what he’s suffering from,” said Broos.
“So, we then had contact with Njabulo Blom and he said ‘I don’t feel so good I think I have Covid’. I said okay, do a test then. Today we are on Thursday, and we spoke with him Tuesday.
“Yesterday [Wednesday] we sent an email to St Louis at 17:00 that coaching and medical staff were discussing the situation of Blom. We are now 20 hours later, we didn’t have an answer even now.”
HUGO BROOS ‘ANGRY’ AT NJABULO BLOM SITUATION
When the Belgian football manager was asked if he was nervous that Blom might not show up, he replied: “I’m not nervous, I’m angry.”
“This is not correct. Unless they tell us this is the problem and he has Covid, then we will have to change.
“When the situation is not clear you start to think about things that may not be there.”
Broos continued: “But I saw that in America next week there’s a league game. On the 26th they are playing.
“Also, the team of Bongokuhle Hlongwane is playing but they said okay, Hlongwane is not a problem he can be released to join the national team.
“Now, I’m afraid that they are trying to keep Njabulo there. And that will not happen. We know the rules, so when he doesn’t come without a valid reason, then we will have to go to FIFA.”
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