Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has delivered his verdict on Masindi Nemtajela and Keletso Makgalwa, while also outlining their prospects of featuring against Zambia in Saturday’s international friendly match at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
Orlando Pirates central midfielder Nemtajela and Sekhukhune United playmaker Makgalwa received their maiden national team call-ups under Broos. The duo will be keen to impress the Belgian, with plane tickets to the 2025 AFCON tournament at stake.
Broos has said he is 75% close to finalising the squad he will take to Morocco, where expectations are high on Bafana to at least reach the final. That makes the Zambia friendly a final chance for some players to muscle their way into the coach’s plans.
Recently, Nemtajela has been in good form in Pirates’ highly competitive central midfield, which has the likes of Sihle Nduli and Thalente Mbatha. Makgalwa, on the other hand, grabbed Broos’ attention with some creativity, which has seen him provide six assists in 15 games across all competitions.
“I’m very happy with what I saw this week at training. The guys are ready to give the best of themselves and try to win that game,” said Broos.
“Also, for new players, Masindi and Keletso, it was a little bit difficult in the beginning for them. The level is higher than what they are used to, but I think they are now fully integrated. I was happy to see them progressing during the days of training.”
WILL BROOS PLAY NEMTAJELA AND MAKGALWA?
“It depends on how the game will go. I want to win the game. If we have the opportunity to give them some minutes or more to play, we will certainly do it,” the 2017 AFCON-winning coach added.
“But again, I’m already happy that I called them up and I could watch them very closely everyday. How their attitude was, how they were working on training, and what their real qualities and talents are.
“Because again, the difference in level between what they feel every week and what they feel now in training. If you ask them the question, they will tell you that in the beginning, they were surprised by what happened at training.
“More quicker, more technical and asking for more from players. Therefore, it was good for them that we could give them the opportunity to train with us. So, the better the idea, the better the report about them than before this week.
“So, again, if we have the opportunity and if the game goes well for us, they will certainly have some minutes of playing time.”
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