Hugo Broos - Thabang Monare was the missing piece of the puzzle

Monare last played for Bafana during the 5-0 drubbing by France a year ago and he was included in the 50-man preliminary squad. 

In recent matches, Broos appears to have seen the need to have a strong anchorman and he stands by Monare’s selection.

READ: Hugo Broos’ expectations from the Lesotho game?

"I think you know where you we going. We are not going to a friendly game, we are going to a big tournament and then you can choose or you choose all young players and before you play one game you are already out because those guys don't have the experience," Broos said.

"So, you need also to have a good mix and that's why I chose Thabang and I chose them already before but then suddenly I don't know what happened in Pirates but he suddenly didn't play anymore after France. Why? I don't know but you see now this season he's playing again regularly and I think when we have a problem with the qualities he has, when we have a problem there, he's the right man."

Monare (34), only has four caps at the international level and two of those games were played under Broos. The Belgian-born head coach looks at some key aspects of Monare’s play.

"He has the experience, he's a good player, he's good in recuperation. So, that's the reason why Thabang is with us and again, maybe you can say 'but this one also' but these are choices. When you have to choose there are always discussions. I choose him but 'yeah, maybe the other one'. Everyone has the right think about what he wants but the reason why he's here is what I said," Broos added.

Bafana departs tomorrow morning for West Africa, they will land in Abidjan early in the evening and proceed to their base in Korhogo on Friday morning.