Broos' shock explanation for Letsoalo snub

Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos boldly explained his reasoning behind the absence of Royal AM star striker Victor Letsoalo, who is also the second-top goalscorer in the DStv Premiership this season.

Despite having 15 league goals to his name - eight behind top scorer Peter Shalulile (23) - this season, Letsoalo will not be part of the national team™s opening Africa Cup of Nations qualifier away to Morocco next month.

He had been a constant feature in the Bafana side since Broos took over last year and travelled to Europe for the two friendly internationals against Guinea in Belgium and reigning world champions France in Lille in March.

However, the 29-year-old has now been relegated to the sidelines by Broos, who bizarrely argued that the former Bloemfontein Celtic forward has been dropped due to his main contribution this season having been from the penalty spot.

œI have followed Victor again, he is a scorer. But I saw also that, I think, he was scoring nine penalties [Ed's note: Letsoalo has scored six penalties in the league this season]. So, if you take that off from his figures, he is not so good anymore for a striker, Broos, speaking live on SABC TV, explained.

œWe have to choose, again. We had Victor with us the game before, he played one game and I don™t think, for the moment, Victor is what we are looking for. That is the reason also, when you compare them, with [Khanyiso] Mayo¦they are too different strikers.

"Mayo is stronger, he is quicker and Mayo can keep the ball. Victor is more, okay he scores¦I agree with that. But in the game, he is someone you forget and then he kicks and scores.

? Broos on leaving out Letsoalo: œHe scores penalties, so he™s not so good anymore for a striker. ?#SABCSport411

” Mazola J. Molefe (@superjourno) May 26, 2022

When Broos announced his 23-man squad at the SABC studios on Thursday, he noted that in playing CAF and FIFA qualifiers, the national team needed someone who is a bit more clinical in front of goal.  

œHe can do that here in the PSL but with us, we are not so good that we can say ˜Victor, wait until you have a chance.' We are not strong enough, we need 11 guys on the field. That is the reason we didn™t take Victor for this game, the coach concluded.

By Mazola Molefe