With Hugo Broos explaining why the USA-based duo Njabulo Blom and Bongokuhle Hlongwane were omitted from the squad set to participate in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, KickOff readers have now expressed their thoughts on the pair's exclusion.
What's the story?
After announcing the final Bafana Bafana squad that will travel to Ivory Coast for AFCON 2023, Broos explained the omission of Blom and Hlongwane.
"The problem with these guys is that they haven't' been playing," Broos told journalists on Thursday.
"The league stopped in October. Okay, they have been training, because Hlongwane is training with Maritzburg United and Blom is training with SuperSport [United] I think, but okay, they don't play games for two months.
"Don't forget that AFCON is a very intense tournament, you need the rhythm of the game. It's possible, but it's difficult after two months without a game and it will be two months and a half, because we only start AFCON (mid-January) and then suddenly, we have to be at a good level."
While some readers expect Bafana to be battered at the tournament, other expressed a strong faith in Broos and his men. Check out what they had to say.
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"The sad part is that south Africans are expecting south African national team to fail. Can't just support your own but not so long pretended to love the rugby team. You will be shocked because the team will do well with or without your best wishes," says Flames Ngoza.
"He has selected his final squad. His explanations about those he omitted don't matter now," says Bongani Mgubela.
"I still maintain that Hlangwane's technical ability to kick and timing of a ball is very poor," says Thabo Nkosi.
"Tota y'all going to blame Hugo for no reason. Hlongwane has always been poor for the national team; Blom never plays even when he is called up. We qualified without him. I believe in Broos; since he came Bafana has improved," says Temogo Thekiso.
"Giving us more reasons to support every team that plays against them," says Rofhatutshedzwa Arnoldinho Mash.
"He must explain the absence of the God of playmakers Lorch," says Senzo Nozisali Mlambi.
"That's the reason he was having warm up games, he selected those he thinks will give him results," says Tshepo Sebogodi.
"Looking forward to them exiting in the group stages. The excuses have already been prepared," says Kevin L Phakula.
"This coach is useless and Bafana will lose, mark my words. I will support any team playing against Bafana Bafana," says Luvuyo Zideba.
"He knows what he is doing let's look and see his plans," says Khangeh Ngwenya.
"He better win or he will resign from the pressure before he even gets back. If he loses he must just catch a plane to Belgium," says Mdu Sello Donald.
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Meanwhile, Manchester United and Cameroon goalkeeper Andre Onana is now reportedly pleading for a delay as his nation prepares for AFCON.
According to ESPN, the 27-year-old is now in talks with the Cameroon FA in the hopes of meeting up with the camp at a later date compared to the rest of his national teammates in order to spend as little time away from United as possible.
The Indomitable Lions are using Saudi Arabia as their base of operations for their tournament preparations, with a friendly fixture against Zambia lined up for 9 January.
Onana, though, is said to want to participate in the Red Devils' FA Cup third-round tie against Wigan Athletic that takes place just one day before his national side's encounter with Zambia.
Here's what the KO readers had to say:
"He must go to AFCON without any delay. We want to see something during his absence at Manchester united," says Knowledge Simz Masiya.
"Best goalkeeper in Africa," says Will Simbaya.
"Man United won't think twice before releasing my bro," says Mohau Moifatswane.
"Players who wish to play for their clubs during AFCON deserve to have their wish granted. Onana is employed by Manchester United not Cameroon," says Zamani Ncube.
"Just go and represent your nation boy. Manchester United will still be there when you come back," says Terence Mohammed.
"Europeans don't think twice when it comes to the Euros. We have our fellow bros and sisters being reluctant to represent their countries," says Mhleli Nyingwa.
"He must work on his reflexes or else Cameroon will be knocked out," says EL'Jozze BigBozz Linyondi.
"Somebody scared he will loose the number 1 spot," says Donald Don-d Nkane.
"That's disrespect to Cameroon," says Tebele Letseka.
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