Former Orlando Pirates striker Phumudzo Manenzhe has questioned Hugo Broos’ decision to leave out Thapelo Morena from his Bafana Bafana’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) squad.
The 73-year-old coach named his 25-man squad to do battle in Morocco later this month; however the Sundowns man was a noticeable absentee.
Morena has been part of the Bafana team for a decade, playing either as a right-back or right-wing. He was part of the team which finished third at the 2023 AFCON but injuries have kept him out of action for club and country recently.
Morena out of AFCON squad
Manenzhe expressed his disappointment in Morena’s omission from the squad.
“My heart is sore for Morena,” said the former Pirates star on SuperSport TV. He has been part of this squad for a while. He was part of the AFCON squad that brought the bronze and was part of the squad that qualified for the World Cup. Then the coach goes at the end, then he goes for a player on form.”
Manenzhe did not understand why Broos left Morena from the AFCON squad based on what he brought to the table.
“Morena is a full back at Mamelodi Sundowns yes, but when there’s an emergency, you can use him as a winger or false nine but this is the guy he can’t question because he has worked with him for years,” he said.
Bafana Bafana will face off against Angola in their first AFCON match on 23 December.