By OBAKENG MAJE
6 June 2025- Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos says he’s happy with what he’s seen of the newcomers in the camp in Polokwane this week as the South African senior men’s team prepares to wrap up preparations ahead of Friday’s international friendly match against Tanzania at the Peter Mokaba Stadium. Kick-off is at 19h30.
With Broos electing not to select Mamelodi Sundowns players as they prepare to travel to the United States of America to participate in the FIFA Club World Cup this month, the national team coach preferred to use the opportunity to have a look at several new faces.
“I’m very happy with what I saw in the past few days of this new and young group of players, and not only what I saw on the pitch but also outside the pitch.
“It was a little bit quiet in the first few days, but I think this is totally normal. There are many new players with the national team, they know each other as opponents but it’s always different when you are in the same team,” he said.
Broos further said the players see each other from the moment they wake up till the moment they go to sleep, so it was a little bit quiet. He added that the last few days everything was the way it should be.
“On the pitch at training, I see a very motivated group, a group that is aware of the opportunity they have got to play for the national team and a group that also knows that with the opportunity they have got now, they have to try and grab it with both hands,” said Broos.
The Bafana Bafana coach also announced that Fawaaz Basadien will captain the team against Tanzania, and then Nkosinathi Sibisi will take over the armband against Mozambique on Tuesday next week.
“For me, I think I did not expect it to come so soon. But at the same time, it is an honour and a privilege to be captain of the national team. I mean, it is one of the things you dream about while growing up as a footballer.
“Like I said, I did not expect it to come as soon as it came, but I am ready and prepared to help the young players in the team. When I first came to the national team, there were guys who helped me,” said Basadien.
He said he is willing to do the same with the younger players in the team. Basadien said the last time they played here in Polokwane, they played in a packed stadium, so they expect the same today and hopefully the turnout will be exactly like it was the last time we played here.
Meanwhile, tickets are available at Ticketpro on the link below: Ticketpro – South Africa vs Tanzania – 6th of June 2025.
The Guardian 