Mahlangu slams Bafana class of '96, defends Broos

Former Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates star Jabu Mahlangu claims some members of Bafana's class of '96 do not want to see the current Bafana Bafana squad successful and praised Hugo Broos for selecting local-based players.

Bafana sealed a spot in the last eight of the AFCON by eliminating Morocco with a 2-0 victory on Tuesday night in the last 16.

Mahlangu (previously knows as Pule) took to the social media platform Instagram, to congratulate Bafana. 

"I'm not saying we've won but we eliminated the number one team, Morocco, a very strong and very organised Morocco.

"Good commitment, goof fighting spirit from the boys. Against, good analysis from the technical team and the coach in the way we analyses Morocco and the approach.

"I hope the class of '96, open your hearts, one day I will tell you why I'm saying this, because I know, some of the '96 players don't want to see Bafana successful, they want to us to keep talking about them but it's not for today.

Mahlangu also threw his support behind Belgian coach Broos over selecting a majority of South African-based players. Mihlali Mayambela, Percy Tau and Sphephelo Sithole are the only players in the Bafana squad who ply their trade outside of South Africa.

"We used to say this and that (about Broos), but guess what, this knows what he is doing, we played well. We are in the quarter-finals now and we don't have a lot of European-based players," added Mahlangu.

"When I was playing, sometimes coaches would call up players based abroad even if they were not even playing at their teams the whole season, but they would just come to play for Bafana and go back, just because they play in Europe.

"I like the approach by Hugo Broos, very honest, what you do week in, week out, and performance-wise will give you chances of playing for Bafana."

Bafana now turn their attention to the last eight of the continental competition where they meet Cape Verde on Saturday. Kick-off is at 22:00 (SA time).