POLOKWANE, SOUTH AFRICA – OCTOBER 19: Gaston Sirino of Kazier Chiefs Celebrates goal during Carling Knockout, Last 16 match between SuperSport United and Kazier Chiefs at Peter Mokaba Stadium on October 19, 2024 in Polokwane, South Africa. (Photo by Philip Maeta/Gallo Images)
Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos could be under pressure to change his mind on Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Gaston Sirino, especially after the injury of Themba Zwane.
Broos admitted himself that he initially made a mistake to exclude Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Zwane from Bafana squad due to his age and ‘Mshishi’ has repaid the faith shown in him by the Belgian, as he has been inspirational for the national team at age 35.
However, Zwane picked up an Achilles injury while on national duty in the previous Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in mid October and the 72-year-old would need a replacement ready to at least push Bafana over the line, in the closing two games of the qualifiers.
READ: Bafana Drop In Latest FIFA Rankings
It has been suggested that with Sirino in good form for Chiefs, he could be a perfect replacement for ‘Mshishi’, after he received his South African citizenship in January 2023 and previously expressed his willingness to play for Mzansi, as he has not been capped at senior level for Uruguay.
SuperSport United head coach Gavin Hunt, who watched in agony as Sirino tore Matsatsantsa apart in a 4-0 demolition by Amakhosi in the Carling Knockout, has backed the idea of the 33-year-old being called up as an emergency call up.
“There’s no doubt if Sirino was South African, I think he would definitely be in the squad. Even if he had Themba Zwane, because I think he’s so quick and nimble, across the ground, he suits the way we play the game here,” Hunt said on Soccerbeat YouTube Channel.
READ: PSL Leadership: Club Boss Emerges As Favourite
“But to put him in the team now… But in saying that, the most important thing is to qualify isn’t it and then worry about all the politics afterwards.
“I don’t think it will happen now but if he was South African, of course. It still baffles me what happened there, why he left Sundowns,” Hunt suggested.
Fielding questions on whether he would consider Sirino last month, Broos indicated that his only concern is the former Sundowns midfielder’s age but after Zwane’s injury, there could be a good reason to reconsider.
Get the best in Soccer, News and Lifestyle content with SNL24 PLUS
For 14 free days, you can have access to the best from Soccer Laduma, KickOff, Daily Sun, TrueLove and Drum. Thereafter you will be billed R29 per month. You can cancel anytime and if you cancel within 14 days you won’t be billed.
.