Former Bafana Bafana midfielder Benedict Vilakazi and Sekhukhune United midfielder Linda Mntambo have come out in support of Sphephelo Sithole amid growing criticism following his recent performance at AFCON 2025.
South Africa face Cameroon in the Africa Cup of Nations round of 16 on Sunday night, with kickoff set for 20:00 at the Al Medina Stadium in Rabat, Morocco. A place in the quarter-finals is at stake.
Sithole endured a difficult outing in Bafana Bafana’s 3-2 win over Zimbabwe, with the 26-year-old CD Tondela midfielder withdrawn at half-time. After the match, head coach Hugo Broos explained that the Ulundi-born midfielder was losing possession too often, a view that sparked heavy criticism on social media, with many fans calling for him to be dropped against the Indomitable Lions.
SPHEPHELO SITHOLE BACKED TO START AGAINST CAMEROON
However, Mntambo and Vilakazi believe Sithole still has a crucial role to play in Broos’ plans, particularly in a high-stakes knockout fixture where familiarity and balance could prove decisive.
“I would still go for Sphehelo Sithole,” Mntambo said on the Smash Sports podcast. “What he gave us, those box entries, getting into the final third, having the final touch was so key.
“If as a coach, you show him those clips, I know he was subbed at halftime, but if you show he what he did, chances are he will get us a goal. If you get in the kitchen, if you play the Lotto, chances are you will hit the jackpot. So I think he gives us an extra number in attack. Start from midfield and finish off his attacks in the box.
“So for me, I would play him against with Mokoena. They understand each other. They have kept the partnership. At this stage of the tournament, we don’t want any surprises. We don’t want any excuses. We need people that have been playing and people who understand the system.”
Vilakazi echoed similar sentiments, backing Sithole to trouble Cameroon with his late runs from midfield.
“Sithole has been a surprise package. If he can have that confidence of scoring. I am telling you, we will use him to surprise Cameroon. He gets into areas where he can hurt the opponent. The runs he made against Zimbabwe should have been goals.
“Teams worry about Mokoena’s attacks but don’t expect Sithole to go there. That is why Zimbabwe could not spot him. He just needs to have that confidence to tell himself he will score. If he creates that confidence, we will win,” Vilakazi concluded.
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