Former Bafana Bafana skipper weighs in on Hugo Broos selection debate

Hlatshwayo is one of the players who have not been selected by Broos since 2021, and was also stripped of the captaincy.

The Belgian has been lambasted for ignoring Wydad Casablanca’s Thembinkosi Lorch for his squad to face Zambia later today in Gqeberha, but Hlatshwayo believes he’s earned the right to pick his own team according to how he sees fit.

"You know I think he believed in his own philosophy because I was one of the players that were dropped when he came to join Bafana Bafana and he believes in those players and those players believe in the coach,” Hlatshwayo said.

“I do always say that as a coach you are not just a coach but you are a motivator. As a coach if you win the changing room, you've won the players and they've shown what kind of a coach he is with the players and everything and the players believe in him. 

“As much as sometimes us South Africans, we have our own opinions but he has proven that he's a good coach and getting a bronze medal in AFCON, qualifying for AFCON and also qualifying for the World Cup after so many years."

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Since taking over as Bafana coach, Broos has built and strong team that has held their own within the continent and also surprised many by finishing third at AFCON 2023 in Cote d’Ivoire. 

He’s also made it to his second Nations’ Cup to be held in Morocco this December, and led South Africa to a first World Cup qualification in 23 years. 

Hlatshwayo says his record speaks for itself and has thrown his weight behind the 73-year-old.

"You know like I've said that us South Africans we are opinionated in social media, everywhere but we've seen his record not only with Bafana Bafana but Ivory Coast and African teams that he's coached and he won with Cameroon, the AFCON,” he added.

“As much as we said he was an old man when he first got here but I think he deserved credit, he has changed how South Africans look at Bafana without fear or no favour. 

“You know Springboks are doing so well, like Mandela has always said that sports brings people together and having those fan parks with Springboks and now we are doing it with Bafana. 

“They've been successful as the Springboks, for us to get the bronze medal, for us to qualify for AFCON, for us to qualify for the World Cup. I think it makes all South Africans happy."