SA must go for broke in Durban

Nicknamed “Mbazo” (the axe), in his heyday for his tough tackling Mokoena bears some similarities to Hlatshwayo, who’s just as tough as nails.

Mokoena, though, has observed that there is room for improvement in terms of Hlatshwayo’s leadership role.

“I think there’s a talent there and of course, he’s done it at club level – Ajax Cape Town and at Bidvest (Wits) now,” said Mokoena while watching the national team train at Moses Mabhida Stadium yesterday.

“Winning the PSL [championship, with Wits] shows he has what it takes, but right now it’s a totally different ball game. We are talking international level, where now he needs to work even harder,” he said.

Mokoena would know better about captain duties. After all, he led the team at the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations, 2009 Fifa Confederations Cup and the 2010 World Cup on home soil having broken into the team at just 17.

He insisted that at a time when Bafana have their backs against the wall after the defeat to the “Blue Sharks” in Praia, Hlatshwayo’s leadership role, as captain, is vital.

“He’s not a vocal footballer, he doesn’t talk much which I think is something he needs to improve on. He needs to be heard, especially in that defence – the centre of defence,” stated Mokoena, himself a former centre-back.

“The thing is in that position if you don’t talk much, you end up seeing yourself making a lot of mistakes. You need to keep people on their toes and by doing so, you need to talk,” he reiterated.

“Look, he’s a fantastic defender and he gets stuck in there. I love that about him. He never backs off and he’s really good, but the only thing I can say is he needs to be heard. He needs to talk more, just that,” said Mokoena.

His claim is justified, but the good thing is Morgan Gould, a born leader, is likely to replace the suspended Eric Mathoho in central defence. Hlatshwayo, therefore, will have some help.

“He’s so lucky, because I think he’s captaining a fantastic squad. It’s a fantastic bunch of guys that can make things easy for him,” Mokoena added.

Meanwhile, playmaker Thulani Serero is likely to start which could see Lebogang Manyama dropping to the bench.