Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has discussed the importance of having Mamelodi Sundowns players in the squad ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Broos selected eight players from the Chloorkop-based giants in his final squad for the global showpiece, though Thapelo Morena missed out after the national team’s medical staff ran out of time to get him fit.
Speaking during a press conference, Broos was asked how the Sundowns players’ experience in high-stakes games—like the CAF Champions League—would help the national team at the World Cup.
The Belgian tactician admitted that the Brazilians’ contingent is well-accustomed to playing under intense pressure in hostile away stadiums and still grinding out results.
He feels this big-match temperament will be crucial, alongside the experience of Lyle Foster, who played in the English Premier League with Burnley this past season.
“It’s very important to have players in the squad that are used to play on another level than PSL,” said Broos, per Mahlatse Mphahlele.
“I think with the players of Sundowns, they are a little bit used to play very important games with a lot of pressure
“Certainly, for Sundowns, they always have the ambition to win that CAF Champions League.
“So, it’s very important to have those players and also because there’s most of them in the squad. So, they can also affect other players in the attitude, the way of training and this is very important.
“This is a tournament on a higher level, you can’t even compare it with AFCON, this is more. You play against teams who are, let’s say 48 best teams of the world – it’s not the truth but oldest teams are very good teams.
“So, sometimes you’re in a very difficult group because you have teams who are the same level and you need to do more than what you’ve been doing in the past.
“So, again it’s very important to have those [Sundowns] players, they can give experience to other players, to younger players. They know how it will be next Thursday playing against 80 000 people against you.
“I’m happy that we have that experience here and Foster, who plays in the Premier League even though they were relegated, but he has experience of playing high-level football.”
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