Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has been urged to integrate young players into the national team by former Kaizer Chiefs development coach Farouk Khan.
"I think also our understanding of what a young player has to change," Khan told KickOff.
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"Players that are 24, 25 aren't young anymore and we have to give the real young players a chance. Many things have to improve. You look at the top counties around the world and they have 19-year-olds representing the national team.
"In South Africa these are deemed too young so we have a bit of a long way to go because this also has to improve at club level as well.
"Eyebrows were raised when Broos named a 23-man squad for two friendly internationals against Mozambique and Angola in November that included just two players under the age of 23."
An in-form Cassius Malulia was snubbed in the latest round of call-ups despite contributing five goals and one assist for Mamelodi Sundowns in just seven appearances for the side.
In addition to a lack of youth, Bafana has also struggled with continuity, players such were part of the side's COSAFA-winning campaign like Kobamelo Kodisang and Luther Singh have been notable absentees in the senior national team during Broos' tenure.
The Belgian however has, however, called for patience over Mailula and explained that Kodisang remains on the national team's radar.
Bafana Bafana will take on Liberia on match day two of the 2023 Afcon qualifiers in March.
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