Former Kaizer Chiefs coach Sergio dos Santos has commended Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos for allowing players from the club time away from the national team.
It's becoming common for this South African football giant to have no players selected for the national team.
On Friday, Bafana will host Lesotho at Peter Mokaba Stadium before traveling to Ivory Coast to face Benin in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
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"The majority of the players in this squad, ready to play in two important games, are from Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns because those are the two teams consistently performing at a high level," Santos tells KickOff.
"As for Chiefs, they are in a rebuilding phase, so their consistency is lacking. One weekend they play well, and the next they don't. This week one player shines, and next week, he struggles.
"Hugo Broos has chosen not to include players from Chiefs because they are not meeting his standards. Instead, he allows them the space to recharge and reset.
"Let the Chiefs players sort themselves out, and we'll see what happens after the FIFA break.
"Broos should be commended for his approach regarding Chiefs. Since he took over at Bafana Bafana, he has always prioritized the players' well-being.
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"He doesn't concern himself with outside opinions. What's the point of bringing in a Chiefs player if he's not going to be part of the matchday squad?
"Broos understands that he wouldn't be helping that player by doing so. He is giving them the time they need to focus on their club, and he certainly knows what he's doing—he's not making foolish decisions."