Bafana Bafana head coach, Hugo Broos has provided some insight for excluding midfielders Sipho Mbule and Patrick Maswanganyi from the squad set to face Panama in two friendly matches.
Both Orlando Pirates players were omitted, with Broos admitting Mbule played a crucial role in Bafana’s qualification for the FIFA World Cup 2026, but citing his limited game-time and lack of consistency as reasons for his drop.
“I think Sipho helped us a lot in September/October qualifiers for the World Cup,” Broos said on SABC1.
“He was really outstanding but be consistent it’s not enough to play your games and the suddenly you drop. He doesn’t play anymore at Pirates there has to be a reason for that…
“After the injury of Themba [Zwane] I was still looking for those players we didn’t find them or they didn’t satisfy us, so now that Themba is fit again why shouldn’t I call him again and I have another one Rele [Mofokeng) I think we have to push Rele into that position as well.”
On Maswanganyi’s exclusion Broos was more vague, stating in the end of the day he has to make choices
“Again as I said already we are working to the World Cup and for a striker [attacker] it’s very important, not only that you play but also that you score goals, also that you give assists,” he continued.
“And this is something that we always look when we select the players, and we have to make choices – what can this one [do], what can that one [do]?
“And then you have to make choice of somebody who scores, who gives assists… He’s very dangerous and I think the selection we made is a little bit in that direction.”
Maswanganyi has scored six goals and set up one more in the Betway Premiership this season so far, but he last featured for Bafana in June 2025.
