Orlando Pirates midfielder Thabang Monare has broken his silence on a long-awaited return to the national team as Bafana Bafana head to AFCON.
At 34, Monare was somewhat of a surprise pick by Broos and alongside Themba Zwane, Monare becomes the oldest outfield player in the final 23 that will travel to Ivory Coast.
READ | 'My mind was always on being at Bafana one day'
The selection was also a surprise due to the fact that Monare has not featured in Pirates’ last eight matches. However, head coach Hugo Broos has expressed plenty of confidence in the veteran midfielder.
"I think with the qualities he has, when we have a problem there, that he is the right man. He has the experience, he is a good player," Broos told the media on Tuesday.
"In recuperation (ball recovery), he is good. So that is the reason why Thabang is there.
Monare was part of the Broos’ first team back in an international friendly against Uganda in 2021 and boasts multiple titles under his belt with both Wits University and Orlando Pirates.
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Answering questions on his absence and sudden return to national team selection, Monare insists he was not surprised to make the cut for the final 23-man squad headed to Ivory Coast.
"No, it wasn't a surprise because I was in the first 50 players named for the preliminary squad and I was looking forward to representing the country, so it didn’t come as a surprise," Monare said.
"I was ready and willing to be here and represent my country."
Broos' men will start their 2023 AFCON title pursuit with a Group E clash against Mali on 16 January before meeting Namibia on 21 January and wrapping up the group stage action against Tunisia on 24 January.
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