Who’ll step up as number 10 for Bafana without Zwane & Maswanganyi
Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos faces a slight dilemma with Mamelodi Sundowns talisman Themba Zwane out through injury. Broos has previously expressed concern about who will succeed Zwane once the 35-year-old retires.
Orlando Pirates’ midfielder Patrick Maswanganyi stepped up and did well in that position. The Buccaneers midfielder was on target in the last two AFCON qualifiers. He scored in the 2-0 win over Uganda and the 3-0 over South Sudan, helping Bafana qualify for the 2025 AFCON.
But both men are unavailable as Bafana prepare to host Lesotho in Polokwane and visit Benin in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. ‘Tito’, as Maswanganyi is affectionately known, had to be withdrawn from the squad at the eleventh hour due to injury.
Broos expressed his discontent with Pirates over their late withdrawal. South Africa are in Group C of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers, alongside Rwanda, Benin, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, and Lesotho. They are in second place in their group, having accumulated seven points from four matches. Bafana are level on points with group leaders Rwanda, but the East African nation has a superior goal difference.
Winning the next two assignments will significantly brighten their path to the World Cup 2026. However, who will be deployed as Broos’s playmaker in the two fixtures?
WHO COULD REPLACE ZWANE & MASWANGANYI?
In all likelihood, the Belgian mentor may lean on Percy Tau because of his experience. Tau recently moved to Qatar SC, where he has featured regularly so far.
The former Al Ahly star has made six appearances for Qatar SC, including one as an attacking midfielder. At Ahly, he played the 10 position on a few occasions.
The other option would be to throw in Jayden Adams, who’s already played that role. At Sundowns, the 23-year-old plays an advanced role. The former Stellenbosch FC midfielder is able to make runs into the box and score goals.
Playing Adams would possibly make up an all-Sundowns midfield trio with Teboho Mokoena and Bathusi Aubaas likely to start at the base.
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