For Gift Links, the silence has lasted for years.
The AGF profile has built a strong career in Denmark, become an important player in Aarhus and continued to perform at club level.
But when South Africa returned to the World Cup stage, he was not part of it.
Still waiting for an explanation
Links has five caps for South Africa, but his last appearance came in 2021.
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Since then, the 27-year-old has been left out repeatedly by head coach Hugo Broos.
According to Africa Soccer, Links admitted earlier this year that he still does not know why he has disappeared from the national-team picture.
“No, I have never received any explanation,” Links said. “I was there in 2021, and then I left, and I never heard from anyone. So, that’s how it has been since.”
For a player who has remained active and visible in the Danish Superliga, the lack of communication has made the situation harder to understand.
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“I’m in the dark, and I have no clue; I have zero clues about what is happening,” he said.
Broos has chosen a different path
South Africa’s World Cup story has moved on without him.
Hugo Broos named his final 26-man squad in May, with Bafana Bafana returning to the World Cup for the first time since hosting the tournament in 2010.
According to FIFA, Ronwen Williams was selected as captain as South Africa prepared for the finals in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
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Links was not included.
That decision came despite his strong season with AGF, where he has been used as both a winger and wing-back.
Agent calls omission a joke
The decision has also drawn criticism around the player.
According to FarPost, Links’ agent Paul Mitchell reacted strongly after the final World Cup squad was announced.
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“He is one of the few South Africans playing at the top in Europe. He is also the most-rated South African player in Europe. It’s a joke,” Mitchell said.
He added that Links still wants to represent his country.
“He wants to play for his country, and I think he deserves to be there,” Mitchell said.
Results make the decision harder to challenge
The difficult part for Links is that Broos has delivered results.
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South Africa reached the knockout stage at the World Cup for the first time, giving the coach’s selection policy even more weight.
According to The Guardian, Broos has built the team around a clear plan and a group of players he trusts.
For Links, that leaves little room to force a debate.
His form in Denmark has not been enough. His experience abroad has not been enough. And his questions have still not brought a clear answer.
For now, he remains where he has been for years.
Outside the squad, waiting for a call that has not come.
