Tau, along with Burnley striker Lyle Foster, has made the final cut for the two crucial matches in the coming weeks. In addition, young midfielder Jayden Adams returns to the fold after disciplinary issues.

Tau has not played for South Africa since last year’s Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast, and Broos has faced criticism for not selecting him. The forward was struggling for game time at Egyptian giants Al Ahly but has become a regular starter at his new club in Qatar.

Broos explained that he could not select Tau if he was not getting minutes on the pitch. “Al Ahly is a fantastic club, but you have to play,” said Broos.

“I always felt that he was not in the right place. It’s great to have Percy back after such a long time. At his previous club, he barely played. The fewer games he played, the harder it became. This is not good for a player.

“I've said it 20 times – players need to play regularly so that when they come to Bafana, they are match-fit, and the intensity is higher. If you don’t play for three or four weeks, you’re not ready. You can be Percy Tau or any other big-name player, but you still have to play.

Jayden Adams. Photo: X

“Now, he is playing consistently in Qatar, and I’m very happy about it. I think everyone agrees that Percy Tau is a fantastic player who can help us qualify for the World Cup.”

Broos also addressed Jayden Adams’ return, expressing hope that the young Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder has learnt his lesson and will show more respect for the national team. The last time Adams was called up, he went AWOL and failed to report to camp, leading Broos to exclude him from the next two squads.

“I hope he has learnt from his mistake – that’s what I wanted to achieve,” said Broos.

“He knows what he did, and you simply can’t do that. When you’re called up for the national team, you do everything you can to be there.

“I said at the time that I just wanted to show Jayden that this is not the right attitude to have. But he is a quality player, and I like him.

“I saw no reason not to call him up again. I was a bit worried he wouldn’t get much game time because Sundowns have a big squad and play many matches. But he has managed to establish himself as a regular for now, and I’m very happy.”

Bafana Bafana will face Lesotho next Friday in Polokwane, with the match at the Peter Mokaba Stadium kicking off at 18:00. Four days later, they will take on Benin in Ivory Coast.

Bafana Bafana squad for Lesotho and Benin qualifiers:

Goalkeepers - Ronwen Williams (captain), Ricardo Goss, Sipho Chaine
Defenders - Sydney Mobbie, Grant Kekana, Thabo Moloi, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Aubrey Modiba, Siyabonga Ngezana, Khuliso Mudau, and Fawaaz Basadien
Midfielders & Forwards - Teboho Mokoena, Bathusi Aubaas, Thalente Mbatha, Jayden Adams, Oswin Appollis, Patrick Maswanganyi, Iqraam Rayners, Elias Mokwana, Lyle Foster, Thapelo Morena, Percy Tau, and Relebohile Mofokeng

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek cg