Golden Arrows coach Manqoba Mngqithi has praised Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos, while also flagging a problematic area as the national team builds toward the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Broos has guided Bafana Bafana back to the global stage, securing their first World Cup qualification since 2002. South Africa last featured at the tournament during the 2010 FIFA World Cup on home soil.
The Belgian mentor has also led the national team to successive Africa Cup of Nations [AFCON] tournaments in Ivory Coast and Morocco. In Ivory Coast, South Africa defied expectations by reaching the semi-finals of the continental showpiece.
Speaking on the Arrows Up Back Through Podcast, Mngqithi said he believes Broos has “a lot of very good players,” while also highlighting an area that still needs improvement ahead of the World Cup.
“And I believe Hugo has done very well for the country from the beginning up until now. He has been exceptional…. But there are areas in that national team that I ask myself serious questions,” he added.
WHAT AREAS HAS MNGQITHI FLAGGED IN BAFANA BAFANA
“I ask myself serious questions about the central defence of that national team. And I ask myself serious questions about the defence. I wouldn’t want to go deep, but I’m just not too sure about the central defence yet, whether it’s resolute enough to sustain the pressure of what the opponents can bring,” explained the former Mamelodi Sundowns coach.
He believes in the right fullback position, “we are a little bit safe”, with Sundowns’ duo of Khuliso Mudau and Thapelo Morena and Polokwane City FC’s Thabang Matuludi.
“I think the right channel is solid with Mudau, Matuludi and potentially Morena,” he explained. The left channel, he believes, is good offensively. “But I think there is still a lot to be improved when it comes to the defensive side of our left channel.”
Broos has Aubrey Modiba and Samkelo Kabini at left-back, and Mngqithi believes there is a lot of work to be done on the personnel front.
At the heart of defence, Broos has some thinking to do, particularly in finding a suitable partner for Chicago Fire star Mbekezeli Mbokazi. Lately, he has relied on Nkosinathi Sibisi while he used Siyabonga Ngezana at the AFCON.
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