Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has explained why he omitted Bongokuhle Hlongwane from the final squad that will play upcoming AFCON qualifiers.
South Africa face Uganda's Cranes on Friday, November 15th, at 3 pm at the Mandela National Stadium. They then host South Sudan's Bright Stars on Tuesday, November 19th, at 3 pm at Cape Town Stadium.
However, he expressed that he had a dilemma in finalising the squad. He emphasised that Hlongwane is one of the players deserving of a spot on the team.
Hlongwane has scored 11 goals and registered four assists in 36 appearances he’s made in all competitions.
BROOS ON DECISION TO LEAVE OUT HLONGWANE
“I think Bongokuhle Hlongwane did well in America in the last months, he played well. But when you're going through players that are not there, I can say a few other names also,” said Broos.
“So those are choices you have to make and I know there was a time two years ago the choices were much easier to make because we didn't have so many players who were able to play in Bafana Bafana.
“I dont want to speak about players who are not there because the choice is made, but I can understand and from your side you are always coming back asking, ‘Why not this one, why not this one?
“Again these are choices I have to make and I made them, it doesn't mean that this player is not good enough or whatever.
“It's a fact of choice, when you see in the preliminary we had 30 players. So, I have to drop 15 players and maybe from all of those 28 they all deserved to be in the Bafana Bafana but that's not possible.”
