Former Bafana Bafana midfielder Benedict Vilakazi has pleaded with coach Hugo Broos to start with Relebohile Mofokeng as the number 10 and Sipho Mbule in central midfield against Zimbabwe.
Broos’ side face neighbours Zimbabwe in a decisive group-stage encounter at the Stade de Marrakech on Monday at 18:00, following an opening 2-1 win over Angola and a 1-0 defeat to Egypt.
Only a win or a draw will be enough for South Africa’s Bafana Bafana to secure a place in the 2025 AFCON Last-16 round.
According to Vilakazi, fondly known as ‘Tso’, coach Broos must tear up the three–defensive midfielder plan that failed in the 1-0 loss to Egypt last Friday.
The Soweto-born legend believes Bafana Bafana need to lean into flair rather than fear, unleashing the wizardry of Mbule and Mofokeng, while commanding full-backs Khuliso Mudau and Aubrey Modiba to play on the front foot.
BENEDICT VILAKAZI CALLS FOR NEW MIDFIELD TRIO FOR BAFANA BAFANA
“Let me put it clear and straightforward,” Vilakazi said on the SmashSports podcast. “You cannot have a team without a thinker. We do have players who can think for us. We have [Sipho] Mbule, and we have Rele [Relebohile Mofokeng] that we can also play as a number 10. This thing of playing three defensive midfielders, we must forget about it.
“I would sit with Tebza [Teboho Mokoena in defensive midfield]. Put Mbule [in the central midfield role] and Rele as the number 10. One thing you need to realise is that Mbule can create from deep as well. And he can also do it upfront. He also knows when to occupy those different spaces.
“And Rele… mfethu uyasidinga isigebengu, bru wami uyamdinga utsotsi [you need a ball wizard, a player with exceptional vision, dribbling, and technical ability]. Rele has that. I have played the game. Sometimes, as a player, you ask yourself what do I have in the bag now? I have to take out all my tricks now. Throw all my dice.
“So as a setup, I would have Rele in the 10, Mbule in the 8, Tebza in the 6. [Tshepang] Moremi on the right and [Oswin] Appollis on the left. Up front, I will have [Lyle] Foster.
“Then I would tell these two [full-backs Khuliso Mudau and Aubrey Modiba]. ‘If I see you staying back, I will take you out’. We have a lot to lose, but we also have a lot to gain. You have to take risks in football. If you want to win, you have to put pressure on them,” Vilakazi added.
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