Sirino to take Themba Zwane's place at Bafana Bafana? Hugo Broos concedes Gaston 'is good for Kaizer Chiefs'

Gaston Sirino was among the senior players that coach Nasreddine Nabi added to his Kaizer Chiefs team in his bid to strengthen the first XI.

The 33-year-old former Mamelodi Sundowns player signed an initial two-year deal with an option to extend it.

Since joining Chiefs, Sirino has played seven matches across all competitions and managed two goals and four assists.

There have been calls for Hugo Broos to consider having the creative midfielder in his squad, especially after an Achilles injury sustained by Themba Zwane that will keep him out until next year.

Despite Sirino being eligible for Bafana, the Belgian tactician has resisted calls to include him in his national team squad.

But now the 72-year-old has opened up on the players' chance of playing for South Africa.

“No, I have to be honest, I haven't considered Sirino in the Bafana Bafana team," he said on SABC1.  

“I know that Sirino is a very good player. I know also that he can be very important for Chiefs but he’s not really the type of player I want.

"Secondly, he’s also 34, I think. I was looking for months to have somebody else for Themba because he was old at that time. So I don’t go to take another older player.

 “No, I want to find younger players than Sirino, even though he is a good player, but he doesn’t really match my ideas of football," Broos concluded.

On Thursday, Broos named his final squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Uganda and South Sudan respectively.

The tactician will be aiming at getting favourable outcomes to ensure Bafana qualify for the continental showpiece for the second time in a row.

South Africa are second in Group K with eight points, two less than leaders Cranes and four points above Congo in third. The top two teams will qualify for the tournament.