Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has never shied away from answering difficult questions. Over the past two years, he has shared his thoughts on the Soweto giants, Kaizer Chiefs.
Under Broos’ tenure, Amakhosi has struggled significantly, and as a result, many of their players have been overlooked for squad selection. In the early days, the Belgian coach chose players from at least ten different teams. Regulars in the Bafana squad included Siyanda Xulu, Rushine de Reuck, Nyiko Mobbie, and Percy Tau. However, things changed around 2022 during the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Hugo Broos has left out Kaizer Chiefs players regularly
With Mamelodi Sundowns performing well under Rulani Mokwena, Broos began selecting more players from Sundowns. This shift was further bolstered by the addition of Ronwen Williams, Grant Kekana, and Teboho Mokoena, who all joined Masandawana from SuperSport United.
The Brazilians showcased impressive football under Rulani, winning both the African Football League and the Betway Premier League in one season.
This success mirrored Bafana’s performance at the 2023 Afcon, where they finished in third place. Broos’ Afcon squad featured ten Sundowns players and just one from Chiefs.
Among the 10 Downs players, at least seven were regular starters, contributing to Masandawana’s success in the tournament. It’s been 20 months since the last Afcon tournament, yet the Bafana Bafana team has remained relatively stable.
Experienced Sundowns players such as Williams, Aubrey Modiba, Khuliso Mudau, Mokoena, and Thapelo Morena continue to be part of the squad.
With Orlando Pirates dominating cup competitions and challenging Sundowns in the PSL, it was inevitable that a few Buccaneers would also feature in the national team.
Shabalala the only Chiefs player in Broos’ squad
The emergence of Mbekezeli Mbokazi has seen Grant Kekana lose his place in the lineup, as Mbokazi has been exceptional since he made his debut for Pirates earlier this year. It is unlikely he will be benched due to his outstanding performances.
In midfield, Broos has chosen to overlook the in-form Kaizer Chiefs defensive midfielder Sibongiseni Mthethwa. While Mthethwa is having a strong season with Amakhosi, he has not secured a selection because of Thalente Mbatha’s impressive performances for Pirates when called upon.
Bathusi Aubaas, who plays for Sundowns, is another viable option in midfield and has established a solid partnership with Mokoena over the years. This makes Aubaas a logical choice for Broos over the Chiefs midfielder.
Both Mbatha and Aubaas only got minutes for Bafana due to Sphephelo Sithole’s injury. After a year-long absence, Sithole reclaimed his starting spot, further reducing Mthethwa’s chances of playing for South Africa.
In attack, Kaizer Chiefs have no standout players to forward. Wandile Duba, Ashley Du Preez, and Pule Mmodi have struggled to make an impact this season.
The only Chiefs players in Broos’ plans are Mduduzi Shabalala and Bradley Cross. The absence of creative number 10s has put Shabalala in a favourable position for selection should Sipho Mbule or Relebohile Mofokeng incur injuries.
Ultimately, the main reason Broos does not select Kaizer Chiefs players is that they lack a standout player who can replace established stars like Mokoena, Williams, Appollis, and Mudau. Players like Mbule have worked hard to break into the team, while exceptional talents like Mbokazi have earned their place in Broos’ squad.
