Broos eyes future with young squad for FIFA series
Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has opted for a young 23-man squad for the FIFA Series starting next week in Algeria.
He left out ten of the 23 players who clinched bronze at the Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast last month.
Bafana will play a first-ever game against Andorra on 21 March, and five days later, they will lock horns with tournament host Algeria.
Broos believes it is a good opportunity to build squad depth.
“Certainly, I am also looking to the future. I said it already, there are a few players in our group who will be 35, 34, 36 when the FIFA World Cup is jointly hosted in Canada, Mexico and the United States of America in 2026,” he said.
“So yes, we have to look for replacements also. Firstly, we have to see those games as an opportunity to give new players, younger players, to show if they are at Bafana Bafana level. Secondly, we are playing against two different styles of opponents. On one side, you have Andorra, and you can compare them to Namibia. So, a tough team, a team who will wait and try to be dangerous in transition.
“On the other side you have Algeria, ranked fifth in the CAF rankings. So that means you have two different styles, and it is good for the South African senior men’s team, certainly also to play against Andorra, but certainly to play against such a good team like Algeria.
“They have a new coach, and they will also have new players in their selection. So, it will be a good test for those new players who are with us to prove themselves. Therefore, those friendly games are important, and you have to get the results if you want to keep your 10th place or maybe progress even further in the CAF ranking.”
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