Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos says he’s a bit angry over the Patrick Maswanganyi withdrawal which was only confirmed last night.
‘Tito’ has become a regular feature in the senior national team, making the last five camps and scoring goals in each of his last two games as they beat Uganda and South Sudan.
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He looked set to take a central role this time around in the absence of Themba Zwane and Luke Le Roux, who started in the 10 role against the Cranes back in November.
However, the 26-year-old who was a notable absentee from the Pirates squad that beat Mamelodi Sundowns on Sunday afternoon at FNB Stadium, has been ruled out due to injury.
“Maswanganyi, I’m a bit angry because we only knew yesterday evening, and from what I heard, he was already injured on Saturday, so he couldn’t play yesterday, so we had to look for someone else today,” Broos said.
“The first choice was [Sinoxolo] Kwayiba from Chippa, but he’s also injured, his knee, therefore we have this guy here on the left Ndamulele [Maphangule], same as Thabo, he’s had good performances and deserves to be here with us, and it’s up to him to make us happy to confirm why we’ve taken him for the national team.”
When probed further about what transpired between the club in terms of communication, Broos said he’s just disappointed they couldn’t have confirmed his absence earlier, knowing the national team camp begins in Polokwane on Monday.
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“If my information is right, he was injured in training, everyone knew he was in the national team and at that moment, a little call, to say look I’m injured I can’t play tomorrow, I can’t be in the camp, that gives us more time to look for another player,” Broos said.
“So, this morning, with all the other problems, we had to call him [Maphangule] so we’re lucky he’s living here in Polokwane, imagine he has to come from Chippa or whatever, then we have to wait until tomorrow. So just give the information, they didn’t have to call me, they could call the [team] doctor!
“Say look, there’s a problem with Patrick, blah blah, blah, he’s not ready for the camp but now we wait, wait, wait and 7 or 8 ‘o clock I get a call from the team manager saying Patrick is injured, that’s why he was not in the list of players of the game yesterday.
“What’s wrong with giving information to a doctor if they don’t want to give it to me, call the doctor, it’s so easy and helps us a lot when we know in the right moment.”
