Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has revealed that he has been closely monitoring the progress of Paseka Mako at Orlando Pirates and believes the player deserves a chance to showcase his talent in the national team.
Mako has been included in the 23-man Bafana Bafana squad to face Eswatini and Ivory Coast in international friendly matches this month, giving him an opportunity to impress Broos ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations in January.
The 24-year-old has been one of Pirates’ most consistent performers this season, having made 14 appearances in all competitions.
After naming his 23-man squad in Auckland Park on Thursday afternoon, Broos explained his decision to have Mako in the squad for the two friendly internationals.
“Mako is already a long time on the list. As you know or don’t know, we have a core of 40 to 45 players. For every position, we have four players. We try by looking at games to maybe change, so Mako is a long time with us. I’ve always liked him. I think this season he is stronger than the season before,” said Broos.
“He is also a standard player for Pirates and (Innocent) Maela is out for the moment. He is a very offensive player and he is aggressive in duals. First of all, he is a defender, so this is very important. With the injury of Maela, I think we have to give him a chance, that’s for sure.”
Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has expressed his admiration for Orlando Pirates’ Paseka Mako, having included the 24-year-old in the 23-man squad for this month’s international friendly matches against Eswatini and Ivory Coast.
Mako has been one of Pirates’ most consistent performers this season, making 14 appearances in all competitions, and Broos believes the defender deserves a chance to showcase his talent in the national team ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations in January.
“Mako is already a long time on the list. I’ve always liked him and I think this season he is stronger than the season before. He is a very offensive player and he is aggressive in duals, so this is very important,” said Broos.
The coach added that with Maela’s injury, Mako should be given a chance to prove his worth in the Bafana Bafana squad.
