Hugo Broos lauded for Bafana squad selection as World Cup hopes raised

This is the view of ex-midfielder and SABC Sport analyst Hlompho Kekana, who says he was so impressed with the side that he was confident they’d go all the way in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. 

Ultimately, Bafana ended third, but Kekana wants to see Broos build on the momentum from the continental competition as they target a spot at the global showpiece in two years’ time.

"This is the time where we should look and have a benchmark to say, 'This is where we finished, and going forward we should just start from here,'" said Kekana.

"I think the positives out of this team is that majority of these players are under 30 [years old], which gives us an edge in the coming tournaments, and even the qualifiers still coming.

"If we continue with the same team, I think we will qualify for the World Cup, and without a doubt, this team deserved to even be in the [AFCON] final, in my opinion."

Broos has already said he will look to make a few tweaks to the squad by again reducing the average age and keeping some of the regulars on their toes. 

Kekana supports this approach. 

"I'm supporting the coach 100 percent with this idea, because when you look at Bafana's best performers, should anything happen to them, God forbid, do we have backup?" questioned the former midfielder.

"Do we have backup for our number-one goalkeeper in Africa [Ronwen Williams]? If he's not there, we need to find a goalkeeper that, even if he's not doing the same things but better things in terms of build-ups and making sure he's stable in creating moments for build-up, and even to save goals for us."

READ: Reneilwe Letsholonyane: I want to be Bafana Bafana coach