Ex South Africa Star Siphiwe Tshabalala Rallies Around Khanyisa Mayo After Hugo Broos Criticism

• Khanyisa Mayo failed to impress in South Africa's match against Andorra
• The Cape Town City striker was not called up for the 2023 AFCON squad
• Siphiwe Tshabalala has encouraged Mayo to continue with his hard work

Khanyisa Mayo was called up to the South Africa team after he was snubbed for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year.

After naming him for the March international break, Bafana Bafana coach, Hugo Broos, said the Cape Town City striker has not progressed enough to play for the national team.

Kaizer Chiefs legend, Siphiwe Tshabalala, has since advised the Golden Boot winner after an underwhelming display against Andorra on Friday, March 22.

Mayo started against Andorra, but his performance was poor, as they were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw by the 164th-ranked nation.

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Shortly after calling Mayo to his squad, Broos explained his problem with the City striker.

"I find that Mayo is sometimes really out of the game. You look at him and you don’t see him; he’s there but no action, nothing. You can’t be like that as a striker, certainly not at the level we play," he said via iDiski Times.

Mayo shared the 2022/23 Golden Boot with Mamelodi Sundowns striker, Peter Shalulile, after both scored 12 goals. This season, he will likely surpass that tally.

He has bagged nine goals so far in 18 appearances. Sundowns star, Lucas Ribeiro, is top of the scoring charts with 10 goals in 13 appearances in the DStv Premiership, per Transfermarkt.

Tshabalala's message to Mayo

The former Kaizer Chiefs and Bafana Bafana forward has urged Mayo to keep his head down and continue working hard.

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"I wish him well and he must just remain level-headed, work very hard and the most important thing about cementing your place in the national team, it’s not in the national team is at club level," he said via iDiski Times.

Tshabalala is happy he got a chance after missing out on the 2023 AFCON.

"Khanyiso is a good footballer, and he’s got an eye for goals, and I’m happy that he got his chance."

Mayo will likely start on the bench in South Africa's clash with Algeria on Tuesday evening. He received his first call-up in 2022 and has earned four caps.

Williams defends Broos

Sports Brief earlier reported on South Africa captain, Ronwen Williams, defending Broos for rotating the Bafana squad in their clash against Andorra.

The Belgian named a much-changed starting eleven, giving regulars a rest. Williams and other experienced stars will probably start against Algeria.