Hugo Broos has responded to questions over Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Gaston Sirino with Bafana Bafana set to begin making preparations for the crucial 2025 AFCON qualifiers against Uganda and South Sudan.
Bafana will will travel to East Central Africa to take on Uganda and return to South African soil to host South Sudan in what will be key qualifiers for the continental showpiece to be held in Morocco at the tail end of 2025.
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Broos had named an initial 38-man squad for the upcoming matches, which he has now cut down to 23.
The Belgian was faced with the challenge of having to replace talisman Themba Zwane, who has undergone surgery after sustaining a long-term injury against Congo-Brazzaville in the last camp.
Among those tipped for the role was Sirino, who possesses a South African passport and is eligible for Mzansi section, having never represented his native Uruguay.
Sirino has contributed four assists and two goals in seven appearances across all competitions for Chiefs.
Responding to questions from journalists on SABC Sport after his squad announcement, the 72-year-old said that although Sirino is a good player, the Uruguayan's age is not on his side.
"No, I have to be honest," Broos started off.
"I know that Sirino is a very good player, I know also that he can be very important for Chiefs, but he is not really the type of player I want.
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"Secondly, he's also 34, I think. So, for months, I was looking for someone other than Themba because he was old at that time. So, I can't go and take another older player.
"No, I want to find younger players than Sirino, even though he is a good player. But he doesn't really match my ideas of football," he went on.
Mamelodi Sundowns' Tashreeq Matthews, who has five assists and one goal in seven matches, also surprisingly misses out on national team selection.
Bafana will lock horns Uganda away on Friday, 15 November, before welcoming South Sudan in Cape Town on Tuesday, 19 November.