3 Bafana newcomers who caught Broos’s eye for World Cup qualifiers
Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos hinted at calling up some impressive newcomers for the upcoming June FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Broos included 10 new players in his 23-man squad for the recently concluded FIFA Series International Friendlies who were not at the 2023 AFCON earlier this year.
In the first game last week, a second-string Bafana side, comprised of seven new faces, drew 1-1 against Andorra before concluding the FIFA Series Friendlies with a pulsating 3-3 stalemate against the hosts Algeria last night.
While Broos remained tight-lipped about specific names, he acknowledged that some players during recent call-ups impressed him.
“Without saying names, I think some players convinced me. I think they will be there in June,” Broos told SAFA media. “You will see it in June; I don’t think it’s now the moment to say this one satisfied me, and this one was a little bit too early.
“We will see it in June, and that’s the most important thing. Those players who were with us, there are some players we can use in June.”
FARPost looks at three players who may have lifted their hands for inclusion in June’s qualifiers. Broos will guide Bafana against Nigeria and Zimbabwe on June 3 and 10, respectively.
WHICH BAFANA BAFANA NEWCOMERS MAY HAVE CAUGHT BROOS’S EYE?
ELIAS MOKWANA is undoubtedly at the top of that list. From the first game, that debut goal and the third goal in the 3-3 draw against Algeria.
The Sekhukhune United man is certainly returning in June. In the two friendly matches, he showed what ‘taking your chance’ means. The 24-year-old also earned plaudits from the legendary Doctor Khumalo.
“Hugo should be proud of himself because he found a diamond now in Mokwana,” Khumalo said on SABC 3. “Two games in a row, the boy is showing character. He’s positive, he’s going forward. There’s nothing I like more than a wing player who can challenge defenders directly. That is why we have wing players to isolate them, and this is exactly what we saw Mokwana do.”
IQRAAM RAYNERS, credited for that second goal off Mokwana, the striker, also did enough to impress Broos. He offers more upfront as a point of reference. His link-up play was also impressive, as he allowed his teammates to play and provided presence in the box.
The Stellenbosch FC forward was more involved in the game, the way Broos prefers. He can protect the ball so well, which gives the team a chance, unlike when there are too many turnovers.
Algeria got a one-on-one chance in the last minute, and Ronwen Williams made a save. It was simply because Khanyisa Mayo couldn’t compete in the air. Mayo is a natural finisher. However, Broos is a very direct coach who prefers a striker who will hold and protect the ball. He likes vertical passes to the striker, so it’s tough if you can’t fight as a striker.
This explains why he prefers Evidence Makgopa, who moves with the game and is always available to fight for the ball. Rayners showed those elements and looks set to return to the national team.
OSWIN APPOLLIS is not necessarily a newcomer, having been at AFCON. However, he has yet to establish himself, and it does look like Broos will keep him in his plans. He has shown his capabilities, but he needs more exposure at that level of the game.
The Polokwane City FC forward is fearless in taking defenders on. That element of his game may be something Bafana needs. The veteran mentor would be keen to see him grow into the squad. One wishes that the early chance that smashed the crossbar against Algeria would have gone in. That would have been a massive boost to his confidence.
Of course, Grant Margeman looks like another player the Belgian mentor may want to examine again. AmaZulu’s Mondli Mbanjwa and Patrick Maswanganyi may still get another look in the next camp.
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