Broos on Shabalala: It's the only reason he is not here

Hugo Broos has taken to explaining the exclusion of Mduduzi Shabalala from the latest Bafana Bafana squad after the Kaizer Chiefs playmaker starred in his latest taste of club football action.

Bafana will battle Zambia in an international friendly on 15 November, with the final 23-man squad named on Thursday. 

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With two new faces included, in Masindi Nemtajela and Keletso Makgalwa, some exclusions have raised question marks.  

Shabalala, for one, will feel unlucky not to have been called up after inspiring Chiefs to a 4-1 win over Orbit College in a Betway Premiership match at FNB Stadium on Tuesday. 

The midfielder was the centre of attraction with two well-taken goals and a further two assists.  

However, speaking to journalists at SAFA House shortly after announcing the squad, Broos revealed that the upcoming friendly will be used to test new players. 

"Like I said, this is the only moment where you can try or introduce other layers

"Nemtajela has had some good performances for Orlando Pirates, so I think I had to call him and see how he behaves himself in training and in the group. 

"That is why Shabalala is not here. It's not a question of he is not playing well or I don't want him anymore. No!

"Again, it's the last game I can do such things. This is the only reason.

"I just wanted to see Nematajela in the team and see how he behaves; if he already has the level of Bafana Bafana. We will see after that," explained the Belgian.

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The match against Zambia is pencilled in for Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, a venue Bafana last played at in October 2024 as Congo-Brazzaville were walloped 5-0 in an AFCON qualifier.

Photo: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images

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Afcon Bafana Bafana Hugo Broos Kaizer Chiefs Mduduzi Shabalala