Katlego Mphela on Broos choosing Makgopa and Lepasa over Mayo
Former Bafana Bafana goal poacher Katlego ‘Killer’ Mphela has shared his thoughts on Khanyisa Mayo’s snub from the national team by coach Hugo Broos ahead of the 2023 AFCON tournament.
The much-anticipated CAF AFCON competition is set to commence on Saturday, 13 January, to Sunday, 11 February 2024.
Broos named his final 23-member squad a fortnight ago from his initial 50-man preliminary squad. Players like Khanyisa Mayo, Frangie Lakay, and Bongokuhle Hlongwane were some of the most notable attackers omitted from his squad.
With Broos opting for Evidence Makgopa and Zakhele Lepasa in front, this left many football fanatics wondering, especially with Mayo having scored more goals than both of them in the last two seasons.
KATLEGO MPHELA ON KHANYISA MAYO’S OMISSION
The former Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs striker insists that it’s unfair for Mayo not to be in the national team. He believes that Mayo’s stellar displays in the SA top flight right now should have earned him a spot in the Bafana squad.
However, he went on to say that maybe the coach knew what he was doing when he opted for Makgopa and Lepasa over Mayo.
“When you are a fan from the outside, it doesn’t make sense,” said Mphela in an interview with FARPost. “But I think it also happened with us or with me when you had players who scored more goals. Maybe the system the coach wants to play suits Makgopa and Lepasa more.
“For Mayo, I don’t think it’s fair for him to be left out. Especially with his performance now that he has been producing. He deserves to be in the national team.”
Mphela continued: “But national teams are like that. Some get call-ups, and some don’t get call-ups. There will always be debates. Just like I said, maybe the coach knows what he’s doing.
“At the moment, it seems like he has more faith in Makgopa and Lepasa. So, it’s an interesting one to see.”
Bafana will depart for Ivory Coast on Thursday, 11 January 2024, for the much-awaited AFCON competition.
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