Bafana Bafana’s 2-2 draw against Uganda in their opening 2025 AFCON qualifier may have left a tinge of disappointment, but Rushwin Dortley’s assured showing has given coach Hugo Broos a reason to smile.
Dortley, who recently joined Kaizer Chiefs, stepped onto the international stage for his first AFCON qualifier against a determined Ugandan side.
Broos gave him the nod ahead of the more experienced Grant Kekana of Mamelodi Sundowns. The former Cape Town Spurs defender partnered Romania-based defender Siyabonga Ngezana in the heart of defence, with Mothobi Mvala out injured.
The 22-year-old’s composure and impressive passing range effectively caught the eye of both fans and the coaching staff. Despite the team conceding two goals, Dortley’s performance stood out, earning praise from Broos in the post-match press conference.
The young defender drew comparisons to Rivaldo Coetzee for his composure on the ball and impressive passing range, leaving a positive impression despite the mixed result.
HUGO BROOS ON RUSHWIN DORTLEY’S PERFORMANCE
Broos believes he made a good choice starting Dortley despite his lack of recent competitive game time. “You can’t blame the players in the back; they did what they had to do. They did their job,” Broos stated post-match.
“For Rushwin, it was the first game, not an easy game. But he did well. I think the choice we made with him was a good one.”
The performance suggests that Dortley could be a valuable asset for Bafana moving forward. His comfort on the ball and ability to initiate attacks from the back offer a different dimension to the team’s play.
Meanwhile, debutant Thalente Mbatha scored South Africa’s equaliser deep in the referee’s optional time to give Bafana a point. Lyle Foster had opened the scoresheet, beating Golden Arrows goalkeeper Ismail Watenga early in the first half.
The Cranes got their two goals in quick succession from Denis Omedi and Rogers Mato.
Bafana turn their focus to South Sudan where they play their second qualifier tie on Tuesday. The match will be played at the Juba Stadium in Juba, the largest city in Central/East Africa.
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