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.
