Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has dismissed suggestions that he was pressured to bring back Themba Zwane into the national team.
Earlier this year Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos came under heavy criticism over the omission of Mamelodi Sundowns attacker Themba Zwane from the national team.
Broos has, however, made a U-turn on his initial decision, recalling the attacking midfielder for Bafana Bafana's two upcoming international friendlies against Sierra Leone and Botswana.
READ | Former Bafana coach delighted at 'deserved' Zwane return
Speaking at a recent press conference, the Belgian has insisted that he wasn't under any pressure to recall the Sundowns talisman.
"If I wasn't convinced, Zwane wouldn't be here. Even when all South Africans were shouting at me to take him. So It's not because of pressure. I have other reasons to take players," Broos explained.
"I started here [at Bafana] and I tried to have a young team and everyone said 'they don't have the experience,' yet we were very nearly at the world cup because we did so well.
"I looked at the position that Themba plays, also for young players, because Themba is 33, so if we qualify for AFCON then Themba will be 35. I will not say it's not possible, but at that age certainly, it can go wrong.
"That was the reason I've always said 'no, I will try and look for young players'. But we didn't find them. So why shouldn't change my mind? It's positive for the team. I know what he can do, I've seen him many times.
"He has what we need and it's up to him [to keep his place in the team]."
Bafana Bafana will take on Sierra Leone on Saturday at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg, before locking horns against Botswana next week Tuesday, 27 September.
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