01 September – It has been a whirlwind!

From a 31 man squad, to 24 at the start of a new season means that National Team Coach Hugo Broos had a tough task ahead of the FIFA 2022 World Cup Qualifiers against Zimbabwe and Ghana, but he is up for the challenge.

“We have to be ready, we have no choice. There were a few concerns that I had at Tuesday’s training but by the afternoon session the team gave me what I needed and that was quality. I’m happy with the way things are going,” said Broos after the teams dinner last night.

Mothobi Mvala is still not fully fit (groin strain) and is been kept a close eye on by the Team Doctor and Physiotherapist, and will travel with the team.

Zimbabwe will be a difficult encounter for the FIFA 2022 World Cup Qualifiers. “They’re difficult to beat because they know us. A lot of the players play in South Africa and now we play against them, that is not going to be easy, but we have our plan and they have theirs, we’re going to fight,’’ said a confident Broos who likened this clash to that of war.

He has pushed the team hard, in a good way and the players have responded positively to the Coach’s philosophy, his way of thinking and playing football. Mentally the team need to get into the zone says Broos and that the start of the Zimbabwean game is going to be decider.

There is excitement in the camp.

Players are happy to be representing their country at the highest level and there’s a glimmer in the eyes of everyone, it reads, that this team are able to be one of five African countries representing at the World Cup next year.