Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos closes the door on Andile Jali

Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has closed the door completely for Andile Jali‘s possible return to the national team setup.

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Upon announcing the Bafana Bafana squad for the two international friendlies against Sierra Leone and Botswana, Broos was asked about Jali.

And that’s because of his change of mind regarding Themba Zwane who is included in the latest Bafana Bafana squad.

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Broos initially overlooked Zwane due to the fact that he is already on the other side of 30, and his return to the setup has given hope to other veteran players.

However, those veterans don’t include Jali as Broos said he doesn’t think the Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder will be back in the Bafana Bafana fold.

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What Broos wasn’t prepared to do was to elaborate on his response, saying he doesn’t want to disrespect the nation the same way he did at the start of the year.

BAFANA BAFANA COACH HUGO BROOS SAYS NO TO ANDILE JALI

“If you talk about Andile Jali, I think no,” said Broos after announcing his latest squad on SABC 1.

“Yes, but again when I said what I said three quarters now ago, I don’t want to disrespect the nation again,” he added.

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WHAT HUGO BROOS PREVIOUSLY SAID ABOUT ANDILE JALI

In March, Broos admitted to knowing Jali from his time in Belgium, and that the level of international football was higher than that in domestic leagues.

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Furthermore, Broos said Jali wasn’t his type of player as modern football demands a lot in terms of ball recovery and power in midfield.

And he appears to still be sticking to his guns despite Jali’s scintillating and dominant displays for Sundowns over the last two seasons.

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“This is my choice not to pick Andile Jali. The level in international football is higher, it’s not the same as here in the league. Modern football demands a lot, recovering the ball, power in the middle. He’s not my type of player,” said Broos on SA FM at the time.

“The same goes for Themba Zwane… He is also an older player… The next Afcon is 2023, he will be 33 next year when Afcon comes again… Also guys, I can’t have 8 or 9 Sundowns players in the squad, what does that say?” he asked.

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In the latest Bafana Bafana squad which includes Zwane, Broos named six players from Sundowns, and four from Orlando Pirates.