Has Broos hinted youngsters Smith & Campbell might be involved in AFCON date with Zimbabwe?

Bafana Bafana are set for a crucial Group B Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) assignment against Zimbabwe at the Marrakesh Stadium on Monday evening.

The 1996 winners face the COSAFA rivals aware that a draw might be enough to see them through, while their opponents have no option but to claim maximum points to make the Last 16 phase.

Egypt, who have made it to the next phase after back-to-back wins, will also play Angola. All matches will be played simultaneously from 18.00 SAT.

In his final squad for the biennial competition, coach Hugo Broos included youngsters Tylon Smith, who is contracted to Queens Park Rangers, and Club Brugge’s Shandre Campbell.

Will the youngsters feature on Monday?

The 73-year-old Belgian wanted to give the duo a run against the Warriors, but the controversial loss to the Pharaohs spoiled everything as explained.

“In my language, they said you don’t have to throw someone in for the lions. We don’t have to throw them for the Lions. That should not be good for the guys. I think for those two guys, for Tylon and for Shandre, it’s already fantastic that they are with us. And also, on training, you see that they’re doing well, but there are some moments or some things in football that they still have to learn,” he told the media.

“It’s a pity that if we had won on Friday against Egypt, we could have maybe given them time [against Zimbabwe].

“But I think a little bit about what should happen if I put those guys in the team on Monday from the beginning, for example, or to change something. They are not ready for that for the moment. They are good players, but they are not ready for that for the moment. But what they learn now during the weeks they are together with us that will be good for Bafana Bafana for the next months, and maybe already for the World Cup, we will see,” Broos concluded.

Two top teams in every group will automatically get a ticket for the Last 16 while eight best position three finishers will get a slot in the next phase as well.