Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has underlined the importance of having title-winning Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns players dominating his squad ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
South Africa converged for camp on May 25 to start preparations for the global football tournament. They then played an international friendly match against Nicaragua at Orlando Amtel Arena on Friday.
A 0-0 draw exposed Bafana’s critical frailties that could haunt them at the World Cup, especially their strikeforce. But Broos would be hoping for his side to get over that and improve when they face Jamaica in their final friendly match on June 5.
Ultimately, they would be hoping to be a solid unit in the World Cup opener against co-hosts Mexico on June 11. They fancy their chances of getting past Group A, which also has the Czech Republic and South Korea.
But before last Friday’s match against Nicaragua, Broos had named his 26-man squad to do duty in North America. His squad features 10 Sundowns players, including goalkeeper Ricardo Goss and Thapelo Maseko, who were out on loan last season.
But eight of those stars managed to help the Brazilians clinch the CAF Champions League title after beating Moroccan outfit AS FAR Rabat 2-1 on aggregate. In conquering the continent, Masandawana became African champions for the first time in a decade, ending agonising years of drawing blanks.
On the other hand, Pirates contributed eight players to the South Africa World Cup selection. Those coming from the Buccaneers reported for camp high in confidence after helping their team to claim the Betway Premiership title.
It was a huge feat for the Soweto giants, who had last been crowned PSL champions in 2012. Broos now welcomed his triumphant stars from the two traditional giants.
THE IMPORTANCE OF PIRATES AND SUNDOWNS PLAYERS WINNING TITLES AHEAD OF THE WORLD CUP
“I think it’s very important [Sundowns and Pirates players winning titles]. First of all, we can say that we have players of the best teams of the season, they are champions,” said Broos. “On the other side, you have players of the Champions League. Certainly, that side of football is very important. Those guys have a lot of high-level experience. They have much experience playing under pressure.
“The game of [a fortnight ago] Sunday [Champions League final, second leg], I can assure you, was the most difficult match of Sundowns in years. Not only the opponent, but mentally.
“So, that helps a lot when we have those players in our team, and I think together they are 14 or something, 15, I don’t know. It’s important because those guys have a lot of experience.
“But not only that, we have guys who play abroad in different competitions, sometimes better competitions. That helps improve the group’s quality, and again, I’m very happy. Pirates are the champions now, it’s another thing, it’s another feeling.”
BROOS’ FEARS ABOUT SUNDOWNS PLAYERS COMING TO BAFANA BAFANA CAMP ALLAYED
It was a relief for the South Africa coach that the Brazilians clinched the Champions League and reported for the World Cup camp with their heads held high. Broos feared that if they had lost, he would have had some extra work to lift the spirits of some demotivated players.
“I’m certainly happy that Sundowns won the Champions League because I was afraid that if they lost, I would have had players who are very disappointed,” Broos went on.
“It should be normal, so I think I would have had a lot of work to do if Sundowns had lost that second leg in the Champions League. Now they came with a boost of confidence, and that helps us a lot.”
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