The coach of Bafana Bafana Hugo Broos debunked rumours flying around that there was a clash that occured between himself and Orlando Pirates striker Zakhele Lepasa.
Broos responded to media and social media reports over something suspicious which amounted to Lepasaβs withdrawal from camp just a day after Bafana were held to a goalless friendly draw by Eswatini at FNB Stadium last Friday.
When the news broke out that the Pirates' star striker left the camp, fans were inquisitive to know the reason why but nothing came up as it was unclear then.
However, after the teamβs arrival in Abidjan where they will face Ivory Coast in an international friendly on Tuesday evening, the Bafana medical team confirmed a knee injury was behind the 26-year-oldβs departure from camp, which Broos maintained in his response.
Hugo Broos' response to the rumours
“I was surprised and, again, a little bit angry when I read in the media that there was a clash between me and Lepasa β this is a very, very big lie.
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Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has set the record straight on Orlando Pirates striker Zakhele Lepasaβs withdrawal from the team.
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— SABC Sport (@SABC_Sport) October 17, 2023
“There has never been a clash, the only thing that Lepasa suffers from is his knee [injury] after the game from Friday, and it became worse overnight.
“So, we decided, together with the doctor, that it was better [for him] not to go to Ivory Coast because he certainly wouldn't play the game here on Tuesday β he wouldn't be ready so, therefore, he went to his club.”
‘In South Africa they always try to look for something negative'
The strange assertions did not go down well with the boss who clearly cleaned up his name and pointed out how people can be negative.
“I can show an MRI [scan result] so the proof is there, but yeah, okay, in South Africa they always try to look for something negative. Let's repeat again, there has been no clash between me and Lepasa,” he concluded.
Next in line for Bafana Bafana
The South African senior football team will face Ivory Coast in a second international friendly in Abidjan on Tuesday evening, as the team continues to try and fix some of their challenges before competitive action returns in November.
Bafana Bafana have promised an improved performance as they take on the AFCON hosts following the unpleasant draw with Eswatini last time out.
For the coach, a good performance from his team is crucial, irrespective of the result.
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Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos insists a good performance is more valuable than beating Ivory Coast in tonightβs friendly inβ¦ pic.twitter.com/w6w61D0WEd
— SABC Sport (@SABC_Sport) October 17, 2023
Fans will be able to watch the LIVE broadcast of the friendly game on SABC Sport from 20:30 SAST.
This article was most recently revised and updated 2 weeks ago
