Hugo Broos Takes Swipe at PSL As Injuries Rock Bafana Bafana Ahead of AFCON

• Hugo Broos feels PSL cannot claim to be supporters of Bafana Bafana
• He is angry at the league for not allowing a seasonal pause for AFCON
• Bafana Bafana have three injury concerns heading up to the tourney

Hugo Broos is not pleased with the South African Premier Soccer League (PSL) and has taken a swipe at the organisers for not taking a break ahead of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

Broos claims his fears were realised after three players selected to represent Bafana Bafana at AFCON 2023 picked up knocks and are battling to be fit for the Ivory Coast edition.

According to Kick Off, the South Africa manager said that he had pleaded with the PSL to go on a break, but it fell on deaf ears - and now that decision is affecting his team before the competition.

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"You know the discussion I had with the PSL. Honestly, all these players were not really recovered; we could see and feel it, and that was my fear. And this is what I said eight months ago when I asked them to stop the league on December 24.

"Those players needed the break because looking at the programme, they had a lot of games over the last two months of last year. I am really sorry about that and don’t tell me [the PSL] support Bafana Bafana. It is a laugh."

Ronwen Williams, Themba Zwane, and Mothobi Mvala will miss Bafana Bafana’s friendly game against Lesotho on Wednesday, January 10, after joining the national team with knocks.

Broos wants 2017 experience with Bafana

Meanwhile, the coach of Bafana Bafana will draw on his experience, winning the trophy with Cameroon in 2017 in Gabon, to lead South Africa to the finals this year in Ivory Coast.

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According to Reuters, Broos admitted there was no blueprint for success at the 'intense' continental championship as he aimed to guide South Africa to a second AFCON title.

Broos led Cameroon to a surprising victory where his squad was considered outsiders for the title, much like a Bafana team that has underperformed over the last two decades and is not regarded as serious contenders by many.

Bafana defender a serious doubt

Sports Brief also previously reported Broos has stated that South African defender, Mothobi Mvala is a serious doubt for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.

The Mamelodi Sundowns star suffered a groin injury during training and is currently undergoing tests to ascertain the severity of the injury, being unlikely to still feature.