‘It’s not based on pressure’, Broos explains Themba Zwane’s U-turn

Bafana Bafana coach explained has Hugo Broos explained his decision to recall Mamelodi Sundowns ace Themba Zwane to the national team.

He insists the decision was not based on pressure from fans who have been wanting to see Zwane in Bafana colours because the attackers have been struggling in front of goal.

Bafana attackers only scored one goal in their last two matches which they lost to lost France and Morocco 5-0 and 2-1 respectively.

WHY BROOS CALL-UP ZWANE

According to Broos, he recalled Zwane because all his regular strikers that he uses at the national team are not available for selection for different reasons.

Zwane was a surprise inclusion to the 23-man squad that will face Sierra Leone and Botswana in friendly matches later this month.

“It’s not based on pressure; if I did that because of pressure, I would have done so six months ago. He is an intelligent player, he can score goals, and he’s doing great performances for his team,” said Broos.

“We have to give him a chance certainly now after [Percy] Tau is not there, [Evidence] Makgopa is not there, [Fagrie] Lakay is not there and [Bongokuhle] Hlongwane is not there. So there are four strikers who are not there.

“Each time they ask me, why not [Themba] Zwane? He’s a player of 32 years. First of all I want to try younger players because this is future. Till now, we didn’t really find them with all these strikers who are not there.

“I think it’s a great opportunity to call him back. I hope he can bring us what we are waiting for and that he will stay with us for the next year games also.”

The last time Zwane featured for Bafana was back in 2019 in the Africa Cup of Nations held in Egypt.

When asked whether in future he will also make another U-turn and recall midfield maestro Andile Jali to the national team, Broos chose not to comment on the matter.