Bafana Bafana’s vice captain, Percy Tau, has been dropped from the final 23-man squad for the important Afcon qualifiers against Uganda and South Sudan next month.
Tau has received a lot of criticism on social media in recent months for his efforts with the national squad.
Tau has also battled for playing time with Egyptian giants Al Ahly this season, as his future at the club remains uncertain.
The Belgian coach stated that the choice to drop Tau was difficult.
Bafana Bafana squad for their 2 upcoming AFCON qualifier matches against
🇺🇬 6 September 2024 at Orlando Stadium at 18h00
🇸🇸10 September 2024 (away) at 15h00 @SAFA_net @10bet_ZA @flysaa @CastleLagerSA pic.twitter.com/GWka4BwHYF
— Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) August 29, 2024
“It was not an easy decision to drop him but, there were two things that I took into account.
“First of all Percy received lots of criticism at the moment when he plays for Bafana, so I try to protect him and support him for the games against Algeria when he was not there.
“Secondly, his situation at Al Ahly is not clear. There are a lot of rumours and he has not played since the beginning of August – he played just 17 minutes and in the other games he was not even on the bench,” Broos said.
Sipho Chaine and Thalente Mbatha of Orlando Pirates have been named to the squad for the first time and will want to make an impact in the qualifiers to secure their spots in the national team.
Fawaaz Basadien of Stellenbosch FC has also made the cut for the first time, after impressing for the Cape Winelands side in MTN8 this season.
Broos has retained the nucleus of the squad, which includes Mamelodi Sundowns players Teboho Mokoena, Khuliso Mudau, Themba Zwane, and Grant Kekana.
Full Bafana Bafana squad:
Ricardo Goss, Veli Mothwa, Sipho Chaine, Sydeney Mobbie, Thapelo Morena, Rushwin Dortlely, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Aubrey Modiba, Khuliso Mudau, Fawaaz Basadien, Siyabonga Ngenzana, Grant Kekana, Teboho Mokoena, Jayden Adams, Sphephelo Sithole, Thalente Mbatha, Themba Zwane, Oswin Appolis, Patrick Maswanganyi, Iqraam Rayners, Lyle Foster, Relebohile Mofokeng.
