Bafana Bafana legend Lucas Radebe has assessed the current national team set-up, suggesting that the squad needs more overseas-based players.

‘Rhoo’ was reacting to the massive 5-0 defeat the 1996 African champions suffered against France this week. Coach Hugo Broos’ young team is heavily criticised for not showing the character as they were seen posing for photographs with the star-studded Les Bleus stars after the match.

Looking at the Class of ’96, the former Kaizer Chiefs defender says his generation was successful because his teammates were plying their trades in Europe.“We need players with strong characteristics to compete at the highest level… quality for AFCON,” said Lucas Radebe.

“We are still struggling to house the same team in one room to grow together like the Class of 1996. In our squad back then, we had almost 80 per cent of our players based overseas. With these players now, we lack a lot… teamwork and team spirit.”

The retired Leeds United centre back has challenged the current generation to be ambitious and further their careers outside of the African continent.With the team having failed to secure a spot at the upcoming FIFA World Cup in Qatar, Broos is under pressure to lead the side to the 2023 CAF African Cup of Nations in Cameroon.

Meanwhile, the first Bafana skipper to lift the AFCON trophy, Neil Tovey, also shared his views on the team, praising the Belgian manager. “Hugo is headed in the right direction building a team by giving youngsters a chance to gain experience, we need to give him and his technical team support. The mental aspect has to be very tough.” he added.