Hugo Broos says upcoming matches against Tanzania and Mozambique will help him assess players for crucial World Cup qualifiers.
South Africa’s national football coach Hugo Broos will use two friendly matches this week to evaluate new talent as the team prepares for crucial 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
The 72-year-old Belgian will field an experimental squad against Tanzania on Friday and Mozambique next Tuesday, both matches taking place at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane.
Speaking to reporters ahead of training, Broos said the friendlies presented “a good opportunity for everyone to prove themselves” and show their qualities.
The coach has deliberately excluded players from Mamelodi Sundowns, who are preparing for the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States later this month.
“Sundowns has always been very important in the national team. We will do it without the Sundowns players and having too many players from one club is not good,” Broos explained.
Fresh faces in the squad
Among the newcomers is AmaZulu midfielder Tshepang Moremi, who has earned his first international call-up after an impressive season in South Africa’s top flight.
The 24-year-old attacking midfielder scored three goals and provided seven assists in 27 league appearances this season.
“I’m looking forward to keep on improving and I have been working hard,” Moremi told reporters. “To me it’s the same as playing AFCON and FIFA World Cup – I can attack, I can defend.”
Orlando Pirates dominate the squad with nine players selected, including three youngsters making their senior debuts: Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Mohau Nkota, and Simphiwe Selepe.
Selepe’s inclusion is particularly notable as he only recently made his professional debut for Pirates but impressed sufficiently to earn international recognition.
Coach’s farewell mission
Broos confirmed he will retire after the 2026 World Cup, describing it as his “last job” in football management.
The former Cameroon coach, who led the Indomitable Lions to Africa Cup of Nations glory in 2017, said qualifying for the World Cup would be “a fantastic end” to his career.
“When I stop next year, I can’t be at home with my wife drinking coffee – football will always be there,” he said. “You will never know, maybe I can be an advisor of South Africa or another team.”
His contract with the South African Football Association expires in 2026, coinciding with the World Cup in North America.
Building momentum
South Africa currently leads their World Cup qualifying group and has already secured places at next year’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco and the African Nations Championship.
Broos described the current period as “glory days for South African football,” pointing to success across age groups including recent World Cup qualifications for the under-17 and under-20 teams.
The team last qualified for a World Cup in 2002, though they participated as hosts in 2010.
Friday’s match against Tanzania kicks off at 19:30 local time, while the Mozambique fixture is scheduled for Tuesday at the same venue.
Both opponents provide useful preparation as regional rivals who will test different tactical approaches ahead of more challenging World Cup qualifiers resuming next year.
