“It’s up to them to prove they belong,” said Broos.
Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has challenged Masindi Nemtajela and Keletso Makgalwa ahead of the international friendly match against Southern Africa neighbours Zambia.
The duo are part of the national team squad that will face Chipolopolo at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha on Saturday (kick-off is at 3pm).
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Speaking to media in Sandton earlier this week, where Nemtajela and Makgalwa were also in attendance, Broos explained his reason to call them and urged them to capitalise on the chance given to them.
“The two guys who are here with us have made good performances for their clubs, and I think they deserve to be here. Now it’s up to them to prove they belong, that they are players for the future who can help us,” said Broos.
“It can be the near future, it can be later, but that’s why they are here. Their club performance is the most important thing, but this is a step higher, and it’s up to them to show that they can make that step,” added the Belgian coach.
Broos targeting win over Zambia
Commenting on the game, Broos said it was very important for Bafana to win it ahead of the AFCON in Morocco.
“We want to continue with the momentum and the winning attitude. That will be good going to Afcon. All the teams that we play against these days are very motivated, even in the friendly matches. So Zambia will be a tough game, and they have some good players. I want to win this game because we do not want to lose matches going to Afcon,” said Broos.
Meanwhile, Broos has ruled out the possibility of adding more youngsters in his team for the AFCON.
There have been calls for Broos to include some of the Amajita players like goalkeeper Fletcher Smythe Lowe, defender Tylone Smith and forward Shandre Campbell to his squad for the continental tournament. However, the Bafana coach feels it’s too early to do that.
“There’s talent, but you have to also be careful, you don’t call them too soon. I can’t call Lowe or Smith or Campbell with the national team going to AFCON, it’s too soon. I can kill those guys, and I don’t want to do that because the talent is there. So, it’s up to them, not us, to give them their chances in the next months, to get that higher level of international experience,” explained Broos.
