Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has shed light on his decision to hand Masindi Nemtajela and Keletso Makgalwa their first senior national team call-ups ahead of Saturday’s international friendly against Zambia at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium (15 November).
The Belgian tactician confirmed that both players could make their debuts in the match, which he insists will be treated with full seriousness despite being a friendly.
“For me, friendly games don’t exist,” Broos stressed. “Every game is important. We have to stay focused, concentrated, and aim to win. That won’t be different on Saturday.”
Broos admitted he initially considered resting Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates players due to their busy schedules but changed his mind because of his determination to win and improve South Africa’s FIFA ranking.
“Our ranking matters — we want to stay in the top ten and even push back to ninth after dropping to tenth following the Lesotho loss,” he said. “Also, with AFCON only a month away, losing now wouldn’t be ideal. I expect full commitment and focus from every player — this is not a holiday.”
Explaining the inclusion of Nemtajela (Orlando Pirates) and Makgalwa (Sekhukhune United), Broos said their club form earned them a chance to impress at national level.
“I wanted to take a closer look at some players showing good performances for their clubs. These two deserve to be here,” he said. “It’s now up to them to prove they belong, whether for the near future or later. This is a step higher, and they must show they can handle it.”
The clash against Chipolopolo will serve as a vital test for Broos’s side as they fine-tune preparations ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.