Former Bafana Bafana goalkeeper coach Alex Heredia says that the national team deserves better opposition in friendly matches in order to do well in big tournaments.
Bafana have qualified for the upcoming AFCON taking place in Morocco as from December, and are also poised to book a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, to be co-hosted by United States of America, Canada, and Mexico.
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"Hugo Broos and Helman Mkhalele are doing a good job. They are not looking for names but at good players who are national team material. There's no favouritism," says Heredia, who was part of the set-up during the Gordon Igesund era.
"It's a pity because the technical director has left at SAFA, and they are looking for a new one, probably a better one.
"Bafana need good sparring partners before they play any cup competition, not small teams. The biggest challenge for SAFA is organizing big teams for Bafana.
"We need to play against the South American teams. We share similar football styles, and the Latin and African styles are very similar," he adds.
Heredia, a respected figure around the continent on all matters goalkeeping, says Bafana shouldn't be wishing to play against certain European teams as they do not play the same type of football as South Africa.
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"In Africa, we want the ball on the feet, there's a lot of skill and dribbling. This is our football. This is the type of football that our players and fans like.
"The Europeans are playing a different type of football we will not find at the upcoming AFCON. So, invite Chile and Paraguay, teams who can challenge us with the same football we play."
