Jomo Sono Defends Hugo Broos’ Bold Choice of Selecting Pirates star

Former Bafana Bafana coach Jomo Sono has given his vote of confidence to the national team ahead of their crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. 

Sono is backing coach Hugo Broos' decision to stick with the controversial selection of Sipho Mbule and believes the team is poised to collect all six points from their upcoming fixtures. 

The team will play Lesotho on Friday and Nigeria on Tuesday, with both matches scheduled for 18:00 at the Free State Stadium. 

These two games are key to the team’s qualification hopes, which will conclude with matches against Zimbabwe and Rwanda in October.

JOMO SONO SAYS BROOS' SELECTION SHOULDN'T BE QUESTIONED

“Broos is doing a good job, plain and simple. Who he selects is his decision, not a decision for social media,” Sono told KickOff.com.

“Not even journalists should question his team selection. He must go with what he has decided – that’s his role as a coach.

“It doesn’t matter how many minutes Sipho Mbule has spent on the pitch for Pirates, if coach Broos feels he is good enough, then he is good enough. The amount of time he spent on the pitch is irrelevant.

“As a national team coach, you don't try to please people because everyone has their own players they want to see representing the national team.

“Just like journalists, they also want their favourite players in the team. I know it happened to some of us when we werein charge of Bafana Bafana

“If, as a coach, you don’t select their favourite player, you will be criticised both in newspapers and on social media. It’s a challenge you face because of that one player they favour.

“With his attitude, Broos will qualify. He will secure all six points against Lesotho and Nigeria. He is a good coach.

“Nigeria may be strong upfront and in midfield, but their defense is lacking. They don't have the same level of defenders as they used to. Therefore, Bafana Bafana will take all three points, believe me.”