Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos explains why he snubbed striker Percy Tau in his latest squad for the next international break. Tau is the notable absentee in the latest Bafana Bafana squad and coach Hugo Broos explains the snub. The Belgian mentor, Broos says Tau is not mentally okay to play in friendlies as Bafana will meet Algeria and Andorra.
The upcoming FIFA international break will see Bafana take on the two nations in March as the national side last played at the Afcon tournament last month. In his final 23-man squad, Broos excluded Bafana marksman, Tau, saying the Al Ahly star is mentally broken.
Bafana Coach Broos Explains Tau’s Exclusion From Bafana Squad
The former Mamelodi Sundowns star, Tau is one of ten members of Bafana’s Afcon squad that will not be playing in these friendlies, for differing reasons.
While Tau is being rested, the likes of Mothobi Mvala, Khuliso Mudau, and Evidence Makgopa are out nursing injuries. AmaZulu goalkeeper Veli Mothwa and Orlando Pirates midfielder Thabang Monare, meanwhile, have not played much for their respective clubs.
Tau’s exclusion is a surprise to many football fans as he helped the Red Devils clinch the Egyptian Super Cup last weekend. “At the end of the AFCON Percy was mentally broken,” said Broos, as he announced a 23-man squad in Johannesburg on Monday.
“But ok, we know social media can kill someone. I talked to him and he said it was not a problem but I knew it was a problem. I called him a week later and we talked and I told him I would not call him up. He said he wanted to come but I said ‘don’t come, stay there, until everything is calm.’If he comes and plays a bad game it will start again, that is why Percy is not with us. It is enough after the AFCON, he will be ready in June (for the World Cup qualifiers) And we will see a fresh Percy Tau.”
Tau came in for criticism after the AFCON in the Ivory Coast even though Bafana exceeded expectations in finishing third at the tournament.
BROOS TRIMS BAFANA SQUAD SNUBS TAU
The final 23-man squad comes after Broos named a provisional 32-man squad last week. Now Broos has decided on a final list for the squad that will travel to Algeria in less than two weeks.
Bafana will play Andorra on the 21st of March, followed by Algeria on the 26th. Bolivia will also be part of the four-team series.
Meanwhile, Kaizer Chiefs are only represented by one player and that is goalkeeper Bruce Bvuma while Europe-based Siyabonga Ngezana and Cape Town City’s Khanyisa Mayo are part of the squad.
Broos also said that he wanted to bring in some younger talent, with these friendlies the only real opportunity to take a look at fringe players in a busy year of qualifiers. The main group of less experienced players in this squad are in the attacking department, with AmaZulu’s Mondli Mbanjwa, Pirates’ Patrick Maswanganyi, and Sekhukhune’s Elias Mokwena given a chance to shine.
Pirates’ hitman, Makgopa’s injury has meant that Broos has also called up Mayo, even though he was not in the provisional squad, named by Broos last week.
Bafana Boss Broos to Meet PSL Coaches
The former Cameroon mentor, Broos also confirms that he wants to meet fellow PSL coaches regarding Bafana players. “I saw Mr. Jordaan on Saturday at the game [Soweto derby between Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs], and he said, ‘OK, this week we will talk to Mr. Khoza’,” Broos said.
“When I don’t know — we will see, but I really hope the meeting will take place. But I’ll wait now to have confirmation on when we will see each other.”
Another pressing request Broos wants the PSL to facilitate is a meeting with the 16 DStv Premiership coaches. The Bafana boss was asked why he does not set up individual meetings with each coach. “I don’t want to make 16 trips 16 times to say the same story to a coach,” concluded the Bafana coach.
“How can you progress in your relationship if you go and meet every coach in private, and when he asks something I can only answer to him? There will be no interaction with the other coaches.”
Related: Pirates vs Chiefs: The Soweto Derby Review, Five Goal Thriller
