Hugo Broos calls on omitted players to look in the mirror

Bafana face Panama in two friendlies this month, with several notable absentees –  including Sipho Chaine, who misses out despite strong club form.

While some omissions are injury-related, Broos insists competition for places is intensifying as he looks to build a winning team identity following disappointment at the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. 

"Everybody has to be omitted when they don't perform and I'm not saying Sipho is not performing. Everybody has to be worried because it's not a charity it's something that is very serious and again Leaner [Renaldo] I want to see him, I want to see him with us, I want to see him at camp because it's not only on the pitch but also outside the pitch and we will see,” Broos said.

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Broos added that their elimination in the round of 16 at the AFCON invited a shake-up in the matches to come before the big stage in the Americas.

"I was very disappointed after the tournament, we didn't achieve what we wanted first of all. Secondly, our level of the games we played was not what we were used to. There are several reasons but I think the most important reason was that during all the camp and the AFCON I didn't feel what I call the Bafana Bafana DNA,” the coach added. 

“So, quality, mentality, discipline, it was not there. I know why but I don't wanna go into details but that was the fact and I think that was certainly one of the most important reasons why we didn't perform what everyone expected." 

Broos also explained the decision to leave out winger Mohau Nkota, who has not only gone through a family bereavement but has been the subject of transfer speculation regarding his future in Saudi Arabia. 

"When you talk about Mohau Nkota I think he's in a very sad period for the moment. Four weeks ago I think he lost his father, he also lost his position in the team in Saudi Arabia. So, psychologically he's not really in good shape and I think it will not be good from our side to take him with the team and ask for performances,” Broos explained.

“He's a young guy so he's not an experienced player, experienced players can play through that but for him, he has the death of his father and secondly he has to win again the position in his team. 

“I think it's better now that we leave him with his family, he's in South Africa, I had him on the phone. We leave him there to be at peace again and I know with the talent he has that we'll see him back in a few months."