Former Bafana Bafana striker Mark Williams has called on coach Hugo
Broos to trust the young players in his AFCON squad, insisting they could be
the tournament’s breakout stars.
Speaking at the team’s farewell event at FNB Stadium on Thursday, the 1996
Afcon hero—who scored both goals in the final against Tunisia—emphasized the
importance of handing opportunities to emerging talent.
“Age is just a number,” Williams told journalists. “I really hope the coach
gives some of these young players a chance to play. We only see how good
they are when they step up to the first team.”
He acknowledged that selecting youth involves an element of risk but argued
it could pay off spectacularly. “Football is about taking gambles. That one
young player could come on and make the whole continent go crazy—but he
needs the opportunity first.”
Williams also pointed to the potential for a game-changer in the squad.
“Over the years, Broos has built a good team. But who is the player that can
come off the bench and change a match? That’s what we want to see.”
South Africa begin their AFCON campaign in Morocco against Angola on 22nd
December, before facing Egypt and Zimbabwe in the group stage.
