Bafana Bafana’s Broos warned about leaving out two stars from World Cup squad

Former Kaizer Chiefs winger Junior Khanye has urged Hugo Broos to consider having Grant Kekana and Keanu Cupido in his Bafana Bafana FIFA World Cup squad.

The duo put up a decent shift on Sunday to help Mamelod Sundowns beat Esperance 1-0 in the first leg of teh CAF Champions League semi-final fixture played in Tunis. Despite Kekana’s sending off later in the game, the experienced centre-back had done enough.

Despite his role and quality, Kekana has not been in the South Africa squad for a couple of matches before the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. Cupido has not played for Bafana Bafana since the 2024 COSAFA competition.

Khanye has since explained why having the two players in the team will work in favour of Bafana Bafana. Recently, Ime Okon, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, and Khulumani Ndamane have been considered especially in the two friendly games against Panama.

Kekana & Cupido ripe for Bafana Bafana

“The two centre-backs Cupido and Kekana they did very well for me both of them are man of the match because psychologically in the second half they [Esperance] came with a game plan,” he told iDiski TV.

“Yeah, they were lucky not to concede, but I’ll be surprised if Hugo Broos doesn’t take the two of them [to the World Cup]. Even if he does leave Cupido behind, for me he’s a quality player.

“I know he’s come back from injury, but you can’t play international football away at Esperance this way and you are overlooked. I’d take Mbokazi and these two seriously.

“The two what they didn’t do right was ball watching and defending square, but when the ball is played behind them nobody knew which guy to go to,” Khanye concluded.