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COMMENT

Coach Hugo Broos will soon select just over 20 players for a difficult holiday period, when he finally reveals the 23-player team for the Africa Cup of Nations, set to be held in Morocco at the end of next month.

One might question: was it truly essential for the coach with silver hair to announce such a big initial team on Monday?

Broos announced a 55-player list for the biennial continental tournament, which will take place from December 21 to January 18. Naturally, it is standard for coaches to release a larger group before finalizing their team.

With several weeks of football left, coaches understand that exceptional plays or injuries could happen, so maintaining a bigger group offers more adaptability.

The truth, however, is that they frequently have a clear idea of which players they desire, and the players themselves understand their actual chances of being selected. Nevertheless, hope remains alive, and there is certainly going to be outstanding performances from the 55 players in the squad, aiming to influence the Belgian coach’s decision.

However, Broos’ method since assuming control almost five years ago is so consistent that it’s not necessary to be an expert to guess who will be selected. Including six goalkeepers in a team that typically only needs three for a competition where Bafana will face record holders Egypt, along with Angola and Zimbabwe in the group stage, is hard to believe.

Broos is essentially urging the group of Renaldo Leaner, Darren Johnson, and Brandon Petersen to keep up their strong performance. This is his way of saying, ‘we see what you’re accomplishing, lads,’ since in truth, he will be taking captain Ronwen Williams, Sipho Chaine, and Ricardo Goss to Morocco.

In other words, provided none of the three incurs an injury prior to leaving.

As South Africa prepares to participate in the Fifa World Cup next year, there might be a positive aspect for players who have minimal prospects of making the AFCON team – examples include Fezile Ngceba, Keegan Allan, Vuyo Letlapa, and Siphesihle Maduna, among others.

The realization that Broos has taken notice of them should motivate them to play strongly for their clubs in the upcoming matches this year and during the season’s return in late January, as they still have an opportunity ahead.

Broos has demonstrated his loyalty and is expected to go with familiar players when finalizing the team. In reality, many South African football supporters could likely name the 23-player squad before he officially announces it.

Although being selected for the initial team is positive, athletes need to remain aware of their actual prospects and avoid creating unrealistic expectations, thus preventing a disappointing holiday season.