Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has defended his controversial decision to announce his final 26-man World Cup squad live on TV, which left six axed players watching the celebrations from the sidelines. Photo: Backpagepix
Hugo Broos defended his decision to retain the 32-member preliminary squad until the final 2026 FIFA World Cup team was named on Wednesday night at the Sefako Makgatho Presidential Guesthouse.
Thapelo Morena, Lebohang Maboe, Brandon Petersen, Brooklyn Pogenpoel, Thabiso Monyane, and Patrick Maswanganyi were the six players who were cut from the group set to represent the country at the global showpiece next month.
The public omission appeared harsh to some, as the players were announced live on Wednesday, leading to images of them peering through a window while the chosen squad celebrated with Broos and President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Why bring these players at the function when they knew very well that they are not going to be included? This was just a terrible idea. https://t.co/1OinGLnzb9
