South Africa manager Hugo Broos looks poised to select an overwhelmingly domestic-based Bafana Bafana squad for next month’s Africa Cup of Nations tournament.
Broos named a 50-man provisional group comprised of 42 players from the South African Premier Soccer League ahead of finalising his selections.
Mamelodi Sundowns contributed 10 candidates alone, underlining the club’s decade-long domination of the national landscape alongside fellow heavyweights Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates.
With South Africa pursuing a localization player policy diverging from regional rivals reliant on overseas talent, Broos aims shining an AFCON spotlight on homegrown stars.
By granting leading domestic performers opportunities on a glittering continental stage, the Belgian coach hopes accelerating their developments to strengthen future national teams.
Broos possesses intimate knowledge of South Africa’s club environment having managed Kaizer Chiefs during a previous African sojourn over three decades ago.
With Mamelodi Sundowns excelling until the CAF Champions League semi-finals this year, evidence suggests the Premier Soccer League’s competitiveness warrants international exposure.
And having steered outsiders South Africa to a creditable Qatar 2022 qualification, Broos feels an unexpected AFCON impact is also achievable via trusted home-based players.
“The talent is here, we just need to nurture it correctly,” stated the veteran manager. “I have belief in these players to represent their nation proudly on the biggest stage.”
Drawn against Morocco, Ghana and Gabon, South Africa require resilience, creativity and some Broos inspiration to defy discouraging pre-tournament predictions.
