Bafana Bafana’s 2023 COSAFA Cup campaign may have been disappointing as they failed to clinch the trophy in their own backyard. However, there are several stars who impressed in Durban.
Morena Ramoreboli’s troops fought hard and played very well to ensure they seal a third-place finish. They won the bronze medal by defeating Malawi 5-3 on penalties on Sunday, 16 July, after the match had ended in a 0-0 stalemate.
FARPost writer Otis Ntshangase looks at five Bafana players who displayed decent performances in the tournament.
LESEDI KAPINGA
The former Mamelodi Sundowns attacker had a great a campaign in COSAFA Cup bossing the midfield in attack.
All-in-all, the 28-year-old made four appearances for Bafana Bafana; three starts and coming once as a substitute.
TSHEGOFATSO MABASA
The Orlando Pirates striker also had a great tournament in the COSAFA Cup. The goal poacher reminded people who he is by finding the back of the net three times.
The 26-year-old therefore finished as the joint top goal scorer at par with Zambian attacker Albert Kangwanda.
THABO CELE
The Radomiak Radom midfield maestro also displayed his class in the 2023 COSAFA Cup edition. The 26 year-old managed to start all the four opening matches pulling strings in the middle of the park.
Cele’s best game is most probably against Namibia as he was rewarded with a Man-of-the-match award for his great performances.
SIBONGISENI MTHETHWA
The Stellenbosch FC midfield engine played all the five matches for Bafana in the tournament. Mthethwa was named in the starting line-up three times and came in as a substitute twice.
The midfielder nicknamed ‘Ox’ always displayed consistent performances in the middle of the park for the national team.
ROWAN HUMAN
The Maritzburg United star had a good campaign with the national team. The 22-year-old also played five games; he made three starts and was introduced as a sub two times.
The attacking midfielder scored a stunner in the opening match against Namibia to salvage a draw for the hosts.
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