While a costly suspension in the second group match has ruled Teboho Mokoena out of Bafana Bafana’s decisive final group encounter, the midfield general has named three teammates who are ready to step into his shoes against South Korea.
Mokoena is throwing his full weight behind his midfield compatriots to steer the national team over the line, having picked up a suspension in their second Group A match against Czechia, which rules him out of the final group-stage clash.
The Mamelodi Sundowns star picked up his second caution of the tournament in the very same match he scored to rescue a 1-1 draw against Czechia at the Atlanta Stadium on Thursday.
As a result, head coach Hugo Broos will have to navigate Wednesday’s crucial final Group A clash against South Korea in Monterrey, Mexico, without one of his most trusted generals.
Bafana Bafana realistically require a victory against the East Asian powerhouse to secure a historic ticket to the World Cup knockout stages.
And speaking in the mixed zone after coolly converting the second-half penalty that secured South Africa’s first point of the campaign, Mokoena insisted that the squad possesses more than enough quality to fill the void.
‘WE PLAY AS A TEAM’ – MOKOENA NAME-DROPS REPLACEMENTS
“I didn’t let the team down. What I was doing [making the tackle] was for the team,” Mokoena firmly stated. “I know my teammates will definitely do it for the team also.”
Broos faces a tactical puzzle in reconfiguring his midfield axis, but Mokoena highlighted the wealth of technical options waiting in the wings to step up.
“Whoever will be playing will represent us as South Africans,” Mokoena added. “We need everyone. [Sphephelo] Sithole will be back, Thalente [Mbatha] will be there, and we have Jayden [Adams]. We have so many guys who can play that role.
“I am not playing alone; we play as a team. We have confidence as a group, and we are growing in the tournament. So, most definitely, we will do well against South Korea [on Thursday 25 June].”
BROOS TO WELCOME BACK MIDFIELD REINFORCEMENTS
In a massive boost for the technical team, South Africa will welcome back midfield enforcer Sphephelo ‘Yaya’ Sithole, who has fully served his one-match ban following a red card in the opening fixture against Mexico.
Meanwhile, the SA Football Association [SAFA] is sweating over an official appeal launched to FIFA regarding veteran playmaker Themba Zwane’s hefty three-match suspension, which also stems from a controversial dismissal against the tournament co-hosts last Thursday.
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