Hugo Broos explains decision to SNUB Kaizer Chiefs players

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Bafana Bafanahead coach Hugo Broos has once again snubbed Kaizer Chiefs players in his squad.

On Thursday, the Belgian coach unveiled his final 23-man squad for the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Benin. None of the 23 players are from Amakhosi. In 2023, the Bafana coach faced criticism from Chiefs fans after omitting their players for two months in a row.

At the time, the 72-year-old coach told the media that Amakhosi stars were just not good enough. Broos initially included Kaizer Chiefs defender Rushwin Dortley in his preliminary squad but injury forced the ex-Cape Town Spurs star out of contention.

“You can’t tell already that Chiefs is back,” Broos said when asked why Amakhosi players failed to make his team.

“I thought so maybe in the beginning of the season but then I don’t know what happened and still they are struggling.

“When I see them play yesterday against Cape Town, you can’t say that everything is alright in that team.

Broos says Kaizer Chiefs are not back

“When the team will be better, or when players will be better, surely, surely I will call up the players from Chiefs. But for the moment I don’t think I have to call them,” Broos said.

“They are really struggling again in the league and let’s hope, not only for Chiefs, but for all South African football, that next season we have again that big team, that big club that struggles and fights for the championship.”

Some Kaizer Chiefs fans feel Thabo Cele should be in Broos’ Bafana Bafana squad. The 27-year-old has impressed since joining the Soweto giants in January.

Do you think Cele should be in the Bafana squad?

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