Bafana Bafana coach snubs Kaizer Chiefs again despite Nedbank Cup win

One swallow doesn’t make a summer.

I remember hearing a teacher use that term when I aced a test in a subject that, mostly, I was terrible at.I wondered what birds had to do with balancing a ledger, but later on learned – when I tanked the next three class tests, in fact – that the phrase is used to convey the idea that one positive event or sign does not necessarily indicate a lasting or complete change for the better.

There’s wisdom in that. In fact, the phrase originates from an ancient Greek proverb attributed to that wise guy Aristotle.

And this ancient proverb seems to be the thinking behind the fact that national soccer team coach Hugo Broos has called up a number of new players – but once again, not a single one from Kaizer Chiefs.

In the past, Broos refused to select Chiefs players due to the team’s overall poor performances. However, after Chiefs managed to win the Nedbank Cup, there was hope that he would soften his stance.

Kaizer Chiefs still out in the cold

Unfortunately, that didn’t happen – instead, many, even inexperienced players from Orlando Pirates were called up.

In Broos’s selection list, Chiefs players like Bruce Bvuma, Yusuf Maart, and Mduduzi Shabalala were overlooked.

“Yes, they won a trophy – but that’s the only notable achievement,” Broos said.

With Bafana Bafana preparing to face Mozambique and Tanzania, the coach opted to call up players such as Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Mohau Nkota, Deon Van Rooyen, and Simphiwe Selepe, who has only played four matches for Pirates.

“In truth, I have nothing against Chiefs – but I must be honest when choosing players,” he said.

New blood for Bafana Bafana

Also of interest is that regular Bafana Bafana players were not selected because Broos is focused on grooming players who could become long-term assets to the team.

Mamelodi Sundowns players were also excluded as they are still busy with the CAF Champions League, and after that, Sundowns will begin preparations for the FIFA Club World Cup to be held in the USA in July.

But back to the apparent Amakhosi snub: it seems what counted most against Chiefs players was the fact that the team finished ninth in the league.

“At this point, I can’t select Kaizer Chiefs players,” said the national coach.

“Chiefs didn’t play well for most of the season. They should have finished in third, second, or even first,” said Hugo Broos after announcing his squad.

Bafana Bafana will face Tanzania next Friday. After that, they’ll meet Mozambique on the 10th at Loftus Stadium.

Squad list:

Goalkeepers:

• Ricardo Goss (SuperSport United)
• Sipho Chaine (Orlando Pirates)
• Renaldo Leaner (Sekhukhune United)Defenders:

• Khulumani Ndamane (TS Galaxy)
• Nyiko Mobbie (SuperSport United)
• Thabo Moloisane (Stellenbosch FC)
• Nkosinathi Sibisi (Orlando Pirates)
• Mbekezeli Mbokazi (Orlando Pirates)
• Deano Van Rooyen (Orlando Pirates)
• Samukelo Kabini (Molde FK)
• Fawaaz Basadien (Stellenbosch FC)Midfielders:

• Simphiwe Selepe (Orlando Pirates)
• Thalente Mbatha (Orlando Pirates)
• Ndamulelo Maphangule (Polokwane City FC)
• Luke Le Roux (Allsvenskan)Forwards:

• Yanela Mbuthuma (Richards Bay FC)
• Relebohile Mofokeng (Orlando Pirates)
• Oswin Appollis (Polokwane City FC)
• Mohau Nkota (Orlando Pirates)
• Patrick Maswanganyi (Orlando Pirates)
• Tshepang Moremi (AmaZulu FC)
• Sinoxolo Kwayiba (Chippa United)
• Ashley Cupido (Stellenbosch FC)