Bafana Bafana legend Siyabonga Nomvethe has weighed in on Hugo Broos’ striker options ahead of the next edition of the AFCON finals.
Nomvethe, who boasts 81 caps and 16 goals for Bafana during his playing days, spoke to FARPost after Bafana played a goalless draw with Namibia and a 1-0 win against DRC Congo in September. The poorly attended matches were played during the FIFA break at Orlando Stadium.
The former Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates forward appealed to South Africans to stop criticising Broos and his team and rally behind them ahead of the 2023 AFCON. The tournament will be hosted in Ivory Coast from 13 January until 11 February 2024.
“I think the team is shaping nicely. We need to support them and coach Hugo Broos,” said 2011/12 PSL Footballer of the Year.
“It is not good for the boys to be criticised all the time. We have qualified for the Afcon, and the two matches played against Namibia and Congo were part of the preparations. I think it is time as a country to rally behind Bafana. And I am confident they will do us proud next year.
“I think we also need to understand that we cannot win all the matches in football. But a draw and a win for me is not bad; we should continue building on that. It will be interesting now as all the players locally and abroad will give their best to be part of the team to go to Ivory Coast.”
WHAT SIYABONGA NOMVETHE THINKS OF BAFANA’S STRIKERS
Nomvethe says he is pleased with the way the strikers like Percy Tau, Lyle Foster, Lebo Mothiba, Zakhele Lepasa, Monnapule Saleng and Cassius Mailula have performed.
“I think it is good for the national team to see our strikers doing well,” added the former Udinese forward.
“This is going to be a good headache for Broos. But other players might also raise their hands before the Afcon.”
Story by Tshifhiwa Luvhengo
RELATED STORY: Ex-Bafana striker weighs in on who should be Hugo Broos’ main striker
