Veli Mothwa: AmaZulu Captain Responds to Omission From Latest Bafana Team for FIFA Series Friendlies

• Veli Mothwa has reacted positively to being left out of the latest Bafana squad
• South Africa coach, Hugo Broos, introduced 10 new names into his 23-man squad
• The new-look squad set for FIFA Series friendlies includes three uncapped players

AmaZulu FC skipper, Veli Mothwa, has graciously accepted being left out of the latest Bafana Bafana squad.

Despite not featuring on the pitch, the 33-year-old centre-back was a key figure in South Africa's recent Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2023 campaign.

However, his lack of recent playing time at the club level seems to be the reason behind the decision of the head coach, Hugo Broos.

The new-look squad, announced on Monday, March 11, includes three uncapped players and 10 fresh faces compared to the AFCON bronze medalists.

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Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper Bruce Bvuma has been called up alongside the established options of Ronwen Williams and Ricardo Goss.

Mothwa, ever the team player, took the news in stride, acknowledging the strength in the squad picked by the Belgian manager.

“No, it’s okay. As coach Hugo Broos always says, it’s all about giving every player in South Africa a chance to play. For me, it’s a good squad that they chose because the players that are there are the ones that have been playing at the respective clubs,” he said, as quoted by Far Post.

The upcoming FIFA Series friendlies in Algeria present a perfect chance for the new faces to showcase their talent. The four-team tournament, featuring matches against Andorra and Algeria on March 21 and 26, marks the initiative's debut.

FIFA's vision for the project is to provide increased playing opportunities for all member nations, particularly those outside the traditional powerhouses. The biannual event, held every March in even-numbered years, aims to foster global football development and elevate the competitiveness of the sport across continents, as reported by FIFA.

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Broos addresses Percy Tau's absence

Sports Brief reported that Broos explained the decision to leave Percy Tau out of the squad.

The 71-year-old said the omission was due to Tau's mental state after the 2023 AFCON tournament, where he was greatly criticised.

He described the forward as being 'mentally broken', attributing it to the harsh criticism he received on social media.