Broos urged to consider Pirates star for AFCON – ‘I know he’s inexperienced but…’

Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos is set to announce his final 2025 Africa Cup of Nations squad ahead of the competition that will be played from December 21 to January 18.

South Africa, who won bronze in the 2023 edition, have been tippd to do better in the forthcoming campaign. They have been placed in Group B alongside serial winners Egypt, Angola and Zimbabwe.

Many Premier Soccer League players have been pushing to be included in the team, but the Belgian has been hesitant to add more players in his pool of trusted soldiers.

Former Kaizer Chiefs winger Junior Khanye has now urged the 73-year-old to consider having Orlando Pirates midfielderMasindi Nemtajela. The 24-year-old was part of the team that played Zambia in a friendly international, but was not given minutes in the 3-1 win.

Why Nemtajela?

“Well done to Bafana Bafana, they did very well but I just want to see something the coach needs to fix because we are going to face better structured teams,” Khanye told iDiski TV.

“The thing he should fix is in the middle he needs to decide. For me he can’t play with Yaya and Mokoena alone. I know that Nemtajela is inexperienced but how are you going to get experience when you are not playing.

“For me I’d bring that boy because of his energy, he will run behind the defence and he’s going to score for you,” Khanye added.

“I believe that Yaya was given a chance even when he had bad games, I mean they kept faith in him. So, give Nemtajela a chance too so that our game can be balanced. You know you already have Mokoena sitting so Nemtajela will go beyond and run.

“Or an improved Mbatha because when he got in, in the second half we were already playing in the Zambian half, and we created a lot of chances because of the energy. You need energy it’s an advantage along with speed,” he concluded.