Uruguayan-born Gastón Sirino is eligible to play for Bafana Bafana, having gained permanent residency status a year ago.
The 33-year-old Kaizers Chiefs composer has been a household name since his breakout 2018/19 season for Mamelodi Sundowns.
Since then, he’s won every trophy possible in South African soccer.
Your move, Hugo
Hugo Broos’ latest AFCON qualifying campaign ignited emphatically, beating Congo-Brazzaville 5-0 before being halted 1-1 in the return fixture.
Along with a disappointing result, Bafana Bafana talisman Themba Zwane suffered a potentially career-ending injury in the 33rd minute.
Patrick Maswanganyi was brought on to replace him but was a shadow of his usual Orlando Pirates self.
Although allowed, Broos is reluctant to call up Sirino, describing it as a step in the wrong direction as he looks to develop a youthful squad. The irony here is that Zwane is 35 years old.
Not only would Sirino offer elite guidance to the team, but his move to Kaizer Chiefs in the offseason shows his impact on a struggling side.
Under his leadership and vision, the Glamour Boys are now back fighting for trophies—Broos could do with his experience.
High praise from teammates and legends
Club-captain Yusuf Maart explained his importance to the side, telling iDiski Times, “I think there’s a few players who are [stepping up] this season, to be honest to you and Sirino is a quality player, you can’t take it away from him,
“He’s making a difference in the team, and we appreciate it as a team, he’s a happy person, he’s a jokey person and there are times when he’s very serious where work is work.
“I think what he [Majdi] wants, he puts it out clearly for everyone, for each and every player and the technical team and what he wants, we have to give it to him”, he concluded.
A few weeks earlier, former Kaizer Chiefs player Edward Mangele gave his thoughts on the new signing, saying, “If they can play him in his favourite position as a number 10 behind the strikers then they will benefit from him. He should be given the freedom to play his game and enjoy it and then they will also enjoy his services. He still has what it takes. You saw everything, how he played at Sundowns.”
Do you think Sirino should play for Bafana Bafana?
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