Bafana’s World Cup squad: ‘Nobody should interfere with the coach’s decision’

A passionate plea has been made to the South African football-loving public after Hugo Broos named Bafana Bafana’s final 26-man squad for the FIFA World Cup.

Bafana will battle Mexico in the tournament opener at Estadio Azteca on 11 June and all eyes have been on Broos since the Belgian tactician named a preliminary squad of 32 players last week.

READ| Logic and positional balance in Broos’ World Cup selections

This also meant the dreams of six players would be crushed as they would be left behind, and that sextet has been confirmed as Brandon Petersen, Thapelo Morena, Thabiso Monyane, Lebohang Maboe, Patrick Maswanganyi, and Brooklyn Poggenpoel.

The squad, which was announced at the Sefako Makgatho Presidential Guest House in Pretoria on Wednesday evening, is made up of the tried-and-tested stars that have formed a key part of the national team set-up since Broos took over in 2021.

As with all selections, there have been differing views on the squad, most notably on Petersen’s exclusion as he has been brilliant in goal for Kaizer Chiefs this past season. Ronwen Williams has kept his spot as Bafana’s number one, with other goalkeepers being Sipho Chaine and Ricardo Goss.

“I think nobody should interfere with the coach’s decision as he knows best which players he needs, and I think it is nicely balanced selection,” shared veteran former PSL coach Walter Rautmann, speaking to KickOff.

Born in Austria almost 81 years ago, Rautmann coached the likes of AmaZulu FC, Rabali Blackpool, Moroka Swallows, African Wanderers, Tembisa Classic, and Black Leopards, and built a reputation as a messiah for relegation-haunted teams.

READ|Big winners and losers in Broos final Bafana squad

“I am confident Bafana will go quite far (at the tournament). Broos is an experienced coach and has done well. The nation must fully stand behind him and the players.

“We can go very far in the competition. We’ve got the talent and a good leader.

“Good luck, Bafana! Make us proud. I am sure you will,” he went on.

Bafana are in Group A of the global showpiece along with Mexico, Czech Republic, and South Korea.

The top two teams from each of the 12 groups will proceed to the Last 32, along with eight best third-placed teams. The tournament runs until 19 July.