Former Bafana Bafana defender Benson Mhlongo has advised coach Hugo Broos not to rush to replace Themba Zwane, who is maturing like fine wine judging by his performances for both club and country.
The evergreen Mamelodi Sundowns star was marvelous to watch against a resilient Algeria side in Tuesday's six-goal thriller. Bafana and the hosts played to an entertaining 3-3 draw in the international friendly match played in Algeria.
Once again, the man affectionately known as 'Mshishi' showed his class as he netted a first-half brace to help the 2023 AFCON bronze medalists to a 2-1 half-time lead.
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"We are not in a stage where we can rely on age," Mhlongo tells KickOff.
"Other countries have youngsters playing for bigger teams, hence they can afford to put in a young squad. I think we are in a delusion (to think) that we must also follow in their footsteps and select youngsters.
The former Downs star says there should only be one criteria for selection into the national team, more so because youngsters are being introduced in dribs and drabs at topflight level in South Africa.
"If you check across the whole PSL, not that many youngsters are playing regularly. We've been crying for years now pleading with Bafana Bafana coaches not to select players according to age. Let’s not assume that a 22- or 23-year-old will make it. Let's go with the current performance and current form until the whole nation produces youngsters who can compete in the PSL.
"But for now, we don't have that leverage. We must just select anyone who is on form.
The question of who will take over the baton once the Tembisa-born maverick decides to pull the plug on his international or overall career remains the elephant in the room. Mhlongo, though, feels it will be a difficult task to find a replacement.
"We are desperate to find somebody who can replace Themba Zwane, and there's no one yet. So, let's leave Zwane in the national team so he can teach these youngsters how it's done at the international level. We can only replace him if we have someone ready. Right now, we are already calling for his exit, claiming he is old, but he is the one who is helping us at the moment.
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"In Argentina, they have Angel Di Maria, who happens to be older than Zwane. And he is still playing for them because they don't have a replacement yet.
"What happened in the Algeria game shows us that we don't yet have a back-up."
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