Orlando Pirates Midfielder Thabang Monare to Be Bafana Bafana’s Secret AFCON Destroyer

• Thabang Monare was a surprise selection for South Africa's AFCON team
• Hugo Broos has complemented his qualities and his wealth of experience
• Bafana Bafana are chasing their first AFCON since winning the 1996 edition

Hugo Broos has opted for a variety of skills to help him achieve the impossible.

Thabang Monare has been chosen to compliment Bafana Bafana's ball-playing midfielders, as well as to offer a calm head in pressure moments.

While no slouch with the ball at his feet, the 34-year-old's engine is still purring and he has a silky knack of dispossessing his opponents.

Monare was one of the many surprises included in the Belgian's final 23, with arm-chair critics second-guessing much of the coach's selections.

Broos has elaborated that he picked Monare because of his experience and his ability to fulfil multiple roles in the midfield.

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Many wanted the national team coach to gamble on the headline-making young talent in the DStv Premiership but the 71-year-old veteran dismissed this. IOL relayed his explanation:

"You can choose young players, and before you play one game, you are already out because those guys don’t have the experience. You need to have a good mix."

Monare has made almost 240 Premier Soccer League appearances, scoring a combined 11 goals for Jomo Cosmos, Wits University and Orlando Pirates. He only has two national caps to his name.

The midfielder was always confident of making Broos' squad and has stated his readiness to contribute to their efforts to make an impact in Ivory Coast. TimesLive quoted Monare's thoughts, who said:

“I know how the game works. You always have to be mentally prepared, and physically, you have to be there. I know I will give my all when I am called up.”

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Previewing South Africa's AFCON 2023

Sports Brief recently compiled a preview of South Africa's strengths and weaknesses going into AFCON 2023.

The squad is predominantly comprised of Mamelodi Sundowns players creating an expectation of success.

Bafana Bafana begin their campaign against Mali on January 16 before group games against Namibia and Tunisia