Broos ripped after overlooking Orlando Pirates star: ‘Why weak point Sithole? He doesn’t have energy!’

Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has been questioned about the decision to overlook Orlando Pirates star Thalente Mbatha in favour of Sphephelo Sithole in international assignments.

In the 2026 FIFA World Cup opener against Mexico, ‘Yaya’, as he is commonly known, was named to the starting lineup alongside Teboho Mokoena and Jayden Adams in a game that ended in a 2-0 loss.

El Tri scored their first goal after the 27-year-old was dispossessed in a dangerous zone, and Julian Quinones capitalised on the opportunity. He was later sent off for a foul on Brian Gutierrez that made things even more difficult for the African representatives.

Themba was also sent off later into the game as the co-hosts picked vital points in Group A.

Why Sithole over Mbatha?

Former Kaizer Chiefs winger Junior Khanye is unhappy that Broos opted to start Sithole ahead of Thalente Mbatha who has delivered when given a chance.

The weak point, the coach keeps starting this boy Yaya, why? He doesn’t have energy. There’s no energy,” Khanye said as quoted by iDiski Times.

“Just because he plays in Europe doesn’t mean he’s better than the likes of Mbatha. Sometimes you need luck in life. Simple. Play with Mbatha. It’s very difficult to coach a player that is not talented. You can’t turn without scanning the surroundings. That position needs a talented player.

“I’m very disappointed with the way he [Broos] started the game,” he concluded.

It is interesting to see whether Broos will start Mbatha when they play the Czech Republic in their next game.