Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has explained what made him pick SuperSport United youngster Thapelo Maseko for the squad that will play Morocco.
Broos announced the final 23-member squad on Thursday after a pre-camp he had with the preliminary squad. Maseko was one of the new faces in the initial 34-man squad that the Belgian tactician trimmed.
The 2017 AFCON-winning coach admitted he was surprised by what the 19-year-old gave during the camp. Broos was impressed by the strength, agility and technique of the SuperSport United Academy product.
HUGO BROOS ON THE QUALITIES THAT MADE HIM PICK THAPELO MASEKO FOR BAFANA SQUAD
“I saw him when playing with SuperSport. I found him he’s a good player. But when I saw him now in the pre-camp, he gave me more than I thought,” said Broos during the Bafana Bafana squad announcement on SABC Sport.
“He’s quick, strong even though he’s not a tall man, but he’s strong in duels. So, he pleases me a lot.
“He has a good left foot, he’s working, and he’s not a lazy player. So, I think he deserves a chance to be with us. And maybe let’s see how the game is going.
“Maybe we can give him some minutes to play also. We’ll see. But I think it’s time that he is with us. He has qualities, but he has to have experience.
“And I think it was already a good thing for him that he was with us now in the pre-camp. So, yes, a very good player.”
Maseko donned Matsatsantsa’s senior team shirt for the first time this season after a promotion from the DStv Diski Challenge side.
He made 25 appearances across all competitions, scoring four goals and providing two assists for the Tshwane outfit.
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