Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has raised concerns about a lack of
communication from PSL clubs, particularly Mamelodi Sundowns, regarding
injured players recently.
Broos expressed his surprise to see Sundowns’ right-back Khuliso Mudau
playing against Kaizer Chiefs in the MTN8 semi-final second-leg, two days
before the Bafana camp, as he had previously been ruled out due to injury.
The same situation has occurred again, with Sundowns winger Thapelo
Maseko playing in the MTN8 final against Orlando Pirates on Saturday,
despite being ruled out of the Bafana squad for friendlies against
Eswatini and Ivory Coast due to an injury.
Speaking in a press conference, Broos said: “Unfortunately, this camp is
again disturbed by injuries like last month we had (Bathusi) Aubaas,
(currently) we have (Thapelo) Morena, (Innocent) Maela, we have Maseko.
Maseko is something different, it’s the second time that we have that
surprise that the player is injured, then suddenly he plays. It was last
month with Mudau, this month is Maseko. I think we need better
communication between me or the national team and clubs, so that we know
how much the player is injured and if he is not ready to come with the
national team.”
The 71-year-old mentor also revealed that he had planned to have a
meeting with PSL coaches four times since he has been the head coach of
Bafana, but the PSL postponed those meetings on each occasion.
“I tried already two years to meet with the coaches and every time PSL
postpones it, so I did four attempts and four times it was postponed by
PSL. So I know that the communication can be better but it’s not my fault
(and) it’s not my responsibility,” he said.
Broos’ comments have highlighted the importance of better communication
between clubs and the national team in order to ensure that Bafana are
able to select the best possible squad for each international fixture.
