If Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos wants to shoot arrows ... he must aim them at the rich

Bafana Bafana boss Hugo Broos is a forthright man. It’s a characteristic that has earned him the respect of both his players and the often-fickle South African media during his time in the country.

Earlier this week, Broos issued a public warning to Sundowns duo Jayden Adams and Fawaaz Basadien that their lack of gametime at the Betway Premiership champions will negatively affect their chances of making the trip to Morocco for AFCON at the end of the year.

Broos has already shown his hand by not including the pair in recent Bafana squads competing in the upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers. The Belgian-born coach stressed: “For players, it’s important that you play, and not directly where you play. But you have to play, and this is not the case with Jayden now.”

He also singled out Basadien, who Broos not so long ago deemed senior enough to lead the team in regular captain Ronwen Williams’ absence.

“Look what is happening with Fawaaz. So, again, players have to be more… I don’t want to say smart, but they have to look at their career, and maybe now Fawaaz has lost his place at Bafana Bafana, he will not play AFCON in December if the situation stays like that. If it stays like that and he doesn’t play, no AFCON!” emphasised the Belgian.

Both players earned their Bafana call-ups on the basis of excelling at Stellenbosch FC prior to moving up north to the Masandawana. They were among the first names on coach Steve Barker’s teamsheet and were afforded regular game time week in and week out.

The environment at Sundowns is entirely different, though. Coach Miguel Cardoso has an embarrassment of riches, with almost four international players per position to choose from. Both Adams and Basadien would have been aware of this situation prior to their transfers.

In principle, I therefore have to agree with Broos that he cannot select players if they are in the stands or sitting in the dugout with substitute bibs. Domestic-based players simply have to be first-choice at their respective Premiership clubs.

However, Broos’ premise that “players choosing money and not career” does not sit well with me. The South African market cannot be compared to a European market where players have “options” to earn a decent living. Outside of Gauteng’s ‘Big Three’, consisting of Sundowns and Soweto duo Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates, player salaries decrease significantly.

I agree wholeheartedly that if there were offers abroad, players should move not only for their bank balances, but also to develop their careers as Broos is suggesting. Adams was still 23 years old when he made the decision and could possibly have stayed at Stellies in the hope of an overseas move further down the line.

However, Basadien will be 29 when AFCON comes around in December. He is newly married with a baby son. So, after years of battling through the South African football system for an opportunity, can he be begrudged for choosing a payday with his career closer to its end than its start?

Broos may argue that AFCON, and potentially the FIFA World Cup, is arguably the biggest shop window to secure a financially lucrative move. Personally, I would have preferred if he placed the spotlight on local clubs, like Stellenbosch FC — bankrolled by South Africa-based company Remgro chairman Johann Rupert — to increase player wages and break the monopoly that the likes of Sundowns hold on players.

Broos has the power to leave a legacy in South African football beyond qualification for the FIFA World Cup. He just doesn’t realise it yet.