With players jostling to impress Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos ahead of the 2023 AFCON finals in Ivory Coast, the Belgian has discussed the chances of a Kaizer Chiefs duo.
Chiefs players have been left on the periphery following the team’s inconsistent performances this season.
However, ahead of the current Bafana camp, Broos has called two players who both had minutes in the disappointing goalless draw against Eswatini in a friendly match on Friday night at FNB Stadium.
The former AFCON winner with Cameroon has discussed Sibongiseni Mthethwa and Mduduzi Mdantsane’s chances.
WHAT HUGO BROOS SAID ABOUT MDUDUZI MDANTSANE
The left-footed playmaker made it into the squad after Percy Tau requested to be excused from the squad for “family reasons”.
Broos explained that the inclusion of Mdantsane was to see if he could be the right player to eventually replace Themba Zwane.
“We know what we’re looking for; otherwise, we shouldn’t be here. I think he’s adapting very well in training. He’s a creative player. You can compare him a little bit with Themba. Themba is much more experienced.
“But I think he has the qualities to become a good replacement for Themba. I always talk about his [Themba], but he’s 34, so you can’t count on Themba. So we have to look for someone, not immediately. I hope that with Mdu, we find him.”
Mdantsane was a second-half substitute against Eswatini and looks likely to get another chance to prove himself against Ivory Coast on Tuesday.
SIBONGISENI MTHETHWA ‘DESERVES TO BE HERE’
Broos revealed how much he had been impressed by Mthethwa’s progress in recent months.
“Mthethwa played very well in the last weeks with Stellenbosch. For me, his performances were improved. Okay, I agree he was with us [in Bafana Bafana’s September 2022 camp]. But he didn’t really satisfy us at that moment.
“I think now, since his transfer to Chiefs, he plays for a top team, and it’s totally different… What I saw of him [at Chiefs] is a little confirmation of what I saw at Stellenbosch. I think he deserves to be here. It’s up to him to show that for the second time.”
Broos has also warned the pair that they will need to be at their best if they want to make the AFCON squad.
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