Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Andile Jali’s continued exclusion from the Bafana Bafana squad has been explained by head coach Hugo Broos.
Jali, 31, has been one of the standout players for Sundowns this season as they compete on all fronts, leading the DStv Premiership, Nedbank Cup quarter-finals, poised for CAF Champions League knockout qualification and having already wrapped up the MTN8 title.
And the tenacious midfielder has been at the heartbeat of their success, whilst being mooted for the Premier Soccer League (PSL) Player of the Season.
But he’s yet to earn a call-up to the national team since Broos’ appointment.
“You know this is a choice. This is a choice I made,” the Bafana Bafana coach said on SABC Sport.
“I know Jali very well because he played in Belgium and this is a choice I made from the beginning. I’m still okay with that choice.
“So, I will try other players. Jali is an older player too. So, I think that with the younger players I have now, I am [also] looking for other types of players in the midfield.”
In the case of Orlando Pirates midfielder Thabang Monare being 32-years-old, he confirmed the player shows more aggression and passing range than what he’s seeking for the national team.
Jali last of his 49 caps for the national team came in 2017 when South Africa lost 2-1 to Senegal under former coach Stuart Baxter.
