Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos could hardly have imagined becoming one of the most important figures in South African football when he took over the national team five years ago.
Yet that changed on Wednesday night. Not only was he invited to announce his final FIFA World Cup-bound squad at the Sefako Makgatho Presidential Guesthouse, but he was also the main attraction, sharing the spotlight with President Cyril Ramaphosa.
From Doubt To Validation
It was a moment of validation for Broos. He had come a long way – criticised for being too old for the job, for changing the structure of the national team by basing selections on merit rather than popularity, and for wanting full control of the team.
As such, when the criticism intensified during his foundation-laying phase, he seriously considered stepping down, needing intervention and full support from his boss, SAFA president Danny Jordaan, to change his mind.
Broos’ era has since been regarded as one of the best in South African sport. He has helped shape the future of football, with rising stars now fully believing that as long as they approach the game with professionalism, dedication and adaptability, it will reward them.
Confidence In His Squad
Given that Broos prioritised those qualities – professionalism, dedication and adaptability – in his final squad, he is oozing confidence that the team will wear their hearts on their sleeves at the global showpiece in June in North America.
“I am confident because I have been here for five years, and it’s coming back now that I have always been confident in what I was doing and chose,” Broos said when reflecting on his squad selection at the Southern Sun Hotel in Sandton on Thursday morning.
“So, this time again, I am confident in the team that we have. I am certainly confident that those players have the qualities to achieve good results at the World Cup.”
Trusted Goalkeepers
The 74-year-old built the foundation of his squad around trusted goalkeepers – captain and No 1 Ronwen Williams, No 2 Sipho Chaine and third-choice goalkeeper Ricardo Goss – having worked with the trio for some time.
Williams has been Bafana’s cornerstone. He leads with aplomb – a trait that Broos wants all his players to emulate. Chaine, meanwhile, had an outstanding season, keeping a record 21 clean sheets in the league for Orlando Pirates, while Goss brings a wealth of experience.
Defensive Depth
Broos called up Khuliso Mudau, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Ime Okon, Khulumani Ndamane, Aubrey Modiba, Samukelo Kabini, Thabang Matuludi, Olwethu Makhanya, Kamogelo Sebelebele, Bradley Cross and Mbekezeli Mbokazi in defence.
The defensive unit offers a blend of talent, balance and consistency. Mudau has established himself as Bafana’s most reliable right-back in recent years, while Mbokazi has emerged as one of the pillars of the team’s defensive solidity. Makhanya’s inclusion marks a reward for his steady development.
Midfield Stability
Broos knows that neither defence nor attack will function effectively if his spine is not solid. He went for his trusted midfield core in Teboho Mokoena, Thalente Mbatha, Sphephelo Sithole and Jayden Adams – a quartet that knows how to control games.
Variety In Attack
However, while a solid structure can win titles, goals win matches. Broos varied the qualities in attack, opting for speed, control and creativity.
He called up Oswin Appollis, Iqraam Rayners, Tshepang Moremi, Relebohile Mofokeng, Evidence Makgopa, Themba Zwane, Lyle Foster and Thapelo Maseko.
Selection Debates
With football being a sport driven by opinions and personal preferences, Broos was never going to please everyone with his selections, particularly in the goalkeeping department where he dropped Brandon Petersen from his 32-man provisional squad.
Broos has been heavily criticised for Petersen’s omission from the final squad, given his stellar season at Kaizer Chiefs. In his defence, though, he stated that Petersen had not spent enough time with the team to integrate properly.
The septuagenarian’s reasoning was somewhat justifiable. He has always prioritised seamless adaptation within the squad and cohesion among teammates, without interference from club allegiance.
As such, Broos could not afford to take risks in a position as important as goalkeeping, especially after the challenges the team faced during the disappointing AFCON campaign earlier this year.
Spotlight On Key Players
Broos is set to make dreams come true at the World Cup, with all 26 players heading to the tournament for the first time. However, the spotlight is expected to fall on individuals who could rise, hit their peak or enjoy a fitting swansong.
Mofokeng has been the darling of South African football. As such, it is widely expected that the tournament could become his springboard to greener pastures abroad, as he appears to have reached his ceiling locally.
Like a caring father, Broos has pleaded for patience with the 21-year-old. He believes Mofokeng can still reach his peak, though that will require him to focus solely on his game and block out external noise.
A marshal of the team, Mokoena enters what could be a defining tournament in his career. The 27-year-old has matured like fine wine in local football, delivering consistent performances over the years. That is why there is a growing belief that he needs a bigger stage than the PSL to fully test himself.
Admired by all, Zwane has given his best to local football over the years. As such, Broos believes he is one of the best players he has ever coached. Now in his late 30s, Zwane is set to play in his final World Cup.
A Full-Circle Moment
There is also fitting symmetry in Bafana opening their campaign against Mexico on June 11 at the Azteca Stadium: it will be a repeat of South Africa’s opening fixture at the 2010 World Cup.
For Broos, the occasion carries additional significance. Mexico was the venue of his only World Cup appearance as a player in 1986, making this tournament both his first and likely final World Cup as a coach.
It is a fitting ending to what has already become a defining era in South African football.
Here is the final Bafana Bafana squad:
- GOALKEEPERS: Rowen Williams, Ricardo Goss, Sipho Chaine
- DEFENDERS: Khuliso Mudau, Olwethu Makhanya, Bradley Cross, Aubrey Modiba, Thabang Matuludi, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Ime Okon, Samukele Kabini, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Kamogelo Sebelebele, Khulumani Ndamane
- MIDFIELDERS: Teboho Mokoena, Thalente Mbatha, Jayden Adams, Sphephelo Sithole
- FORWARDS: Oswin Appollis, Tshepang Moremi, Evidence Makgopa, Lyle Foster, Iqraam Rayners, Relebohile Mofokeng, Themba Zwane, Thapelo Maseko
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