Three decisive changes Hugo Broos must make to secure Bafana victory
With Bafana Bafana desperately seeking a result against Namibia on Sunday night [10pm], head coach Hugo Broos must make three decisive changes to secure victory.
The Southern African derby pits two teams that started off the 2023 AFCON with contrasting fortunes. Bafana Bafana went down 2-0 to Mali, while the Brave Warriors were 1-0 victors over Tunisia at the Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium.
Those two contrasting results mean one simple thing – a win for the Brave Warriors sends them to the knockout stages, while Bafana would have to return home.
There is pride at stake, and South Africa, the big brother – home to several Namibia’s players – would not want to succumb to defeat.
Broos needs to make the following changes to reignite Bafana’s spark and secure victory against Namibia.
DEFENSIVE CHANGE
The Belgian mentor may consider introducing a quicker defender to deal with the pace of the Namibia frontline. The Brave Warriors could deploy Deon Hotto, Peter Shalulile and Prins Tjiueza. Of course, Prins, who plays his football in Kosovo for Liria Prizren, tends to operate as a typical 10.
Namibia coach Collin Benjamin, the youngest mentor at AFCON 2023, made it clear during Saturday’s conference that their strength is their pace.
To deal with those tricky three, Hugo Broos could consider bringing in Grant Kekana instead of Siyanda Xulu. Xulu was left for pace when Bafana conceded the second goal against Mali on Tuesday.
Introducing Kekana would mean the entire back five are Sundowns players. Ronwen Williams, Aubrey Modiba, Mothobi Mvala and Khuliso Mudau all look set to start. That would make it an all-Sundowns defence against their fellow Sandawana, Shalulile.
MIDFIELD TWEAK
Broos may want Teboho Mokoena or Sphephelo ‘Yaya’ Sithole to operate as an active eight. The other would then function as a lone six. Both players are capable of operating as a lone six and are equally able to get goals when operating as an eight.
Having them operate as a double six limited Bafana Bafana’s control in midfield against Mali.
The Bafana mentor would certainly want midfield dominance against the Brave Warriors, and that tweak could be necessary.
Such a tweak could ensure Themba Zwane doesn’t have to drop deep. ‘Mshishi’ needs to get the ball in advanced areas where he can hurt the opponent.
ATTACKING CHANGE
While jokingly speaking to South African journalists, our Namibian colleague Hesron Kapanga said only two players in their team can’t run. That’s the goalkeeper – Chippa United’s Lloyd Kazapua of Chippa United. I suspect the second is right-back Ryan Nyambe, who plays for English League One side Derby County.
However, what Hesron forgot to say is that Nyambe is an adventurous fullback. He loves venturing forward. Therein lies a loophole Bafana could take advantage of. With Modiba’s creativity on the left, Broos could bring in his Sundowns teammate Thapelo Morena instead of Thapelo Maseko.
Morena, a versatile player with a big-match temperament, always has a goal in him. He has the pace and the skill to unlock a defence. The veteran attacker also aids his fullback when deployed in a more attacking position. He looks the perfect fit to face Nyambe.
While seemingly simple, these THREE changes could have a transformative impact on Bafana’s fortunes. Injecting Morena’s dynamism will add much-needed spark and unpredictability to Bafana’s attack.
Bafana will be better equipped to break down Namibia’s defence and secure a crucial victory with a more mobile midfield and a potent attack.
Possible XI: Williams, Mudau, Mvala, Kekana, Modiba, Mokoena, Sithole, Zwane, Morena, Tau, Makgopa.
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