Hugo Broos explains Ronwen Williams-Melusi Buthelezi substitution

Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has confirmed Ronwen Williams offered to make way for Melusi Buthelezi during the clash against Sierra Leone.

Sep 26, 2022 - 10:36

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Hugo Broos explains Ronwen Williams-Melusi Buthelezi substitution

Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has revealed that Ronwen Williams offered to make way for Melusi Buthelezi during Saturday’s friendly against Sierra Leone..

South Africa thumped Leone Stars 4-0 over the weekend in front of a small crowd at FNB Stadium.

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Towards the end of the match, spectators wondered why the national team captain ran to the touchline to chat with Broos – and a few minutes later Buthelezi was seen warming up.

It appears the Mamelodi Sundowns shot-stopper wanted the 24-year-old ‘keeper to make his Bafana Bafana debut.

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The TS Galaxy goalie has kept six clean sheets in eight games this season in the DStv Premiership which is perhaps one of the reasons that he earned a call-up to the national squad.

Broos has praised Williams for being a good leader.

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‘THERE’S GREAT ATMOSPHERE WITHIN THE GROUP’ – BROOS

“Another thing I have to mention is that with 10 minutes before the game ended and the score 4-0, your captain came to the side and said, ‘Coach if you want you can change me’, which shows the mentality and friendship in the group,” Broos said said after the match as quoted by TimesLIVE.

“This is also very important when as a captain you give a chance to a new player, a guy who is in the national team for the first time and you take the initiative to go to the coach and say, ‘If you want you can change me’.

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“I’m very happy there’s a great atmosphere within the group. I saw it with the way they treat each other. It’s very good.

“Again, it should not stop today, and go on to the next game on Tuesday. I think if we can do the same thing it will help us for the future and certainly to have a positive result for the game [2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Liberia] here in March.”