4 Bafana Bafana attackers sublimely respond to Hugo Broos, one denied by VAR
Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has proven to be a stickler for quality and consistency! The Belgian is not shy to demand consistent performances from his players.
With the two-legged crucial Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Liberia approaching, the 70-year-old Hugo Broos would have been watching the penultimate round of club matches before the international break with a keen eye.
Hugo Broos needs to trim his 35-man preliminary squad to just 23, who will assemble in Johannesburg on Monday next week.
BAFANA BAFANA TO FACE LIBERIA
The hard-to-please Broos will likely be in a jolly mood, having watched his players shine for their clubs.
Four men, who are likely to form his attack when Bafana take on the West Africans, were all on target. The fifth had his goal denied by the VAR technology overseas.
The weekend scenario presents a slight headache for the veteran mentor as he looks to pick the best possible squad for the crunch qualifiers.
Bafana face the Lone Stars in a two-legged AFCON qualifier starting at home on 24 March before travelling for their away trip four days later, with both matches considered must-win.
Bafana attackers, in particular, were on song with the likes of Kobamelo Kodisang, Lyle Foster, Percy Tau, Themba Zwane and Bongokuhle Hlongwane all finding the back of the net. Mihlali Mayambela, on target during the midweek, had his sublime finish choked after a VAR check in Cyprus on Sunday.
HUGO BROOS FACES SELECTION HEADACHE
Digital scout and overseas player monitor Prince Sobayeni believes this is the kind of headache the national team coach would be happy to have.
“It’s 10 goals for Kodisang and two assists this season. Foster scores a top-class finish, Percy scores, and Hlongwane scores too. Mihlali was unfortunate his goal was wrongly ruled for offside. But he was on target during the week. There’s no stopping the train,” an optimistic Sobayeni told FARPost.
Kodisang, a new face in the Bafana setup, vindicated Broos’ decision to include him in the squad with yet another impressive performance for Moreirense.
The 23-year-old scored his tenth goal of the season in his side’s 3-1 win over Penfiel in the Portuguese second division on Friday.
On Saturday, Foster finally broke his duck for Burnley after scoring the third goal in the Clarets’ 3-0 win over Wigan Athletic at Turf Moor.
It was the South African striker’s first goal for the EFL Championship log leaders in nine appearances.
In the MLS, Hlongwane scored the only goal as his side, Minnesota United, played a 1-1 draw against New York Red Bulls at Allianz Field.
The former Maritzburg United forward has been one of the key players for Bafana in recent matches, scoring a brace against Mozambique in an international friendly in November last year.
PERCY TAU BACK TO FITNESS
Broos will also be delighted with the return to form of Egypt-based forward Tau, who is back to fitness and seemingly regaining his scoring touch.
Tau was on target in his side Al Ahly’s painful 5-2 defeat at the hands of former team Mamelodi Sundowns in a Caf Champions League encounter on Saturday.
His compatriot and Bafana teammate Zwane was also on the scoresheet, scoring the second of Downs’ five goals against the Red Devils.
Mayambela rose from the bench on Tuesday against Anorthosis to score the winner in the 2-0 victory. He was unfortunate on Sunday when his goal against Pafos was cancelled after a VAR check. The game ended 2-2.
Broos would have been thrilled to see midfielder Teboho Mokoena’s thunderbolt for Sundowns in what summed up a good weekend for South African internationals.
Additional reporting by Sthembiso Nkabinde.
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