Bafana Bafana midfielder Njabulo Blom's AFCON chances up in smoke?

While announcing his 23-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers against Benin and Rwanda this month on SABC Sport, Broos revealed they encountered problems with Blom when enquiring over the player’s availability for this camp.

READ: Three new youngsters in Bafana Bafana for 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers

The Belgian revealed there were injury claims from the St Louis City player, who later changed his tune following requests for an official medical report.

"You know, Njabulo Blom is not there at the moment because he sent us a message on Monday, saying that he was injured on his shoulder and he couldn't come to camp," revealed Broos.

"So we asked for a medical report, and until now we haven't received one, we only received another message two or three days later that he can play.

"I don't think that is the right attitude or the right mindset [for players] to come to the national team, and therefore I didn't select him."

This was not the first fallout between Broos, Blom, and his MLS club but the 71-year-old coach is disappointed with the former Kaizer Chiefs midfielder’s attitude as he raised serious doubts over his commitment to the national team.

"Yes, okay, but the only thing I'm always asking myself is, when I see players saying they like to be in Bafana Bafana, 'Oh, it's an honour for me to play for my country.'

"With such an attitude, I have my doubts that it's an honour to be with the national team."

Blom’s 2023 season officially ended on Monday, after St Louis City were eliminated from the MLS Play-offs by Kansas City.

This means the 23-year-old will now be out of action until his club's pre-season kicks off in January/February next year, unless he earns a short-term loan move for the next two months ahead of the Cup of Nations.