A notable voice of discontent has emerged about Bafana Bafana’s preliminary squad selected for upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Nigeria.
Bafana play neighbours Lesotho in what is a home game for the latter at the Free State Stadium on 5 September, before doing battle with long-time rivals Nigeria at the same venue four days later.
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The 48-man preliminary squad selected by head coach Hugo Broos has led to animated debates, as it contains several players who either have not had much playing time of late even with most seasons having just commenced, while a few are injured.
"What has Sipho Mbule done to earn a call-up? I believe we lack fairness in our squad selection," says a fuming Mlungisi Ngubane, speaking to KickOff.com.
"As for Mobbie, I always question his selection. He seems to have become a regular in the national team. It's like he's Bafana Bafana's child now. It's as if Bafana Bafana is his home now, and he is guaranteed a place there.
"You can’t select a player just because he is quiet or because he leads songs in the change room while leaving out someone who will contribute on the pitch.
"I'm saying this because Kaizer Chiefs right-back Thabiso Monyane deserves a spot in that preliminary squad. He is performing well and is part of a team that has not conceded a goal in the league so far. So why not give him a chance in the national team?” he added.
Ngubane takes particular issue with the inclusion of Orlando Pirates star Mbule.
"I don’t understand why he is being rushed into the squad. He has only played a few games at Pirates and is already included in the national team. What is it that caught their attention about him that they didn't see at Sekhukhune United? They didn’t select him while he was there, nor when he played for Mamelodi Sundowns and SuperSport United.
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"Yes, he is a good player, but he is not yet the Sipho Mbule we know. He is still settling in at his new club. His selection is denying more deserving youngsters a chance to shine. It seems to depend on which club you play for."
South Africa top Group C on 13 points after over six matches, followed by Rwanda and Benin, both on eight points.
Photo by Philip Maeta/Gallo Images
