Bafana Bafana head coach, Hugo Broos, has taken credit for the recent surge of young talent in the SA elite league.
The Belgian tactician, who guided South Africa to a podium finish at the 2023 AFCON, believes his influence has led to a shift in the approach of PSL clubs.
Since his appointment in 2021, the Belgian tactician has consistently emphasised the importance of giving young players a platform to showcase their talent on the international stage.
Broos’ 2023 AFCON squad, featuring players aged under 23 like Jayden Adams, Oswin Appolis, and Thapelo Maseko, showcased the potential of the rising generation of SA footballers. Bafana’s bronze medal win was a testament to the coach’s vision and the talent of these young players.
The Bafana mentor has continued with the trend of including young players in his squad with Relebohile Mofokeng of Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs defender Rushwin Dortley. The two players are part of the Bafana squad set to play against Uganda away from home on 15 November 2024 and South Sudan at the DHL Stadium on 19 November in Cape Town in the 2025 AFCON qualifiers.
It is apparent that teams in the PSL have increasingly recognised the value of nurturing young talent. Teams such as SuperSport United, Richards Bay FC, Orlando Pirates, Chiefs, Stellenbosch FC, Mamelodi Sundowns, and TS Galaxy have all given opportunities to promising youngsters.
Players such as Mduduzi Shabalala, Samkelo Zwane, Mohau Nkota, Neo Rapoo, Bilal Baloyi, Ime Okon, Yanela Mbuthuma, Nkosikhona Ndaba, Mohau Nkota, Mfundo Vilakazi, Langelihle Phili, Kutlwano Letlhaku, and Puso Dithejane are among the rising stars who are making significant contributions to their respective clubs.
BROOS SAYS PSL CLUBS ARE FOLLOWING HIS LEAD ON YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
“As you know, from the first day I was here, I was talking about young players, and we didn’t have them at that moment,” said Broos. “When I saw the line-ups of the PSL clubs at that time, it was all players around the age of 26 and 28 and older.
“And if you talked about a young player at that time, people came to me with names of players aged 26 and 27. Those were deemed young players then.
“So I think I started something with the national team and proved that also young players can be very good and can achieve results, and I think that in the clubs, they are following a little bit my example when you see now [many youngsters in the PSL].
“It is true that in every team now you find young players, and maybe it was easier for the small clubs to do that because they have to do it due to the question of not having money to buy players, but now we are also seeing it in the big teams, Pirates, Sundowns even Chiefs, your Shabalalas, all those players are young.”
Hugo Broos added that this trend is a positive development for the nation’s football, as young players are the key to future success.
However, he emphasised the need for caution when selecting young players for Bafana, as premature exposure can negatively impact their development.
“I think it is a good evolution in South African football because young players are the future, you see Stellenbosch, and I can name other clubs…,” Broos continued.
“…You must always be careful with young players because you can call them too soon, and it is not good for a young player if you call them for Bafana Bafana and the next three to five camps, you can’t call them anymore because they are no longer playing at their clubs or maybe you saw at that time that it was maybe too soon for Bafana Bafana.
“But I keep my eyes open, and I’m very happy with what’s happening in the PSL. Seeing young players playing can only be good for South African football.”
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