By Michael Madyira
Bafana Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has thrust himself into the spotlight following his final squad for next week’s 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Morocco at home.
It will be a dead rubber at FNB Stadium as both teams have already qualified for the Afcon finals.
But they are taking the 17 June clash seriously as part of preparations for Afcon and Morocco have named a strong squad dominated by their 2022 Fifa World Cup stars.
Broos, however, continues to stir controversy after snubbing players enjoying some good form at their clubs.
Leading the prominent names overlooked by Broos is the Premier Soccer League joint top goal-scorer Khanyisa Mayo.
The Cape Town City forward has been left out despite scoring 12 league goals while Zakhele Lepasa who managed just three throughout the season has been included.
“Should I take Mayo, should I take [Monnapule] Saleng or should I take another striker?” said Broos on SABC Sport.
“You take a little bit of opportunity on what he can or cannot do or what the other striker can do.
“In the end it was Mayo we didn’t choose. Sometimes you can’t explain why you really choose that player or why you don’t choose that player.”
The omission of Mamelodi Sundowns defender Khuliso Mudau has also been another major talking point of Broos’ selection.
Mudau is arguably the PSL’s best defender and was snubbed alongside Kaizer Chiefs new signing Given Msimango.
The centre-back played every minute of TS Galaxy’s league campaign in the just-ended season and the Rockets conceded the third least number of goals in the PSL.
“We are playing Morocco, can you take the risk to take someone like [Msimango] in the team?” asked Broos.
Kobamelo Kodisang whose 11 goals in 29 games fired Moreirense to promotion into the Portuguese top-flight league has also been dropped after initially appearing in the preliminary squad.
Stellenbosch’s Iqraam Rayners found no space on the final list despite his nine league goals scored between February and May.
Pictured above: Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos
Image source: Bafana Bafana
