Tau, Mothiba magic must continue against Paraguay

Fresh from their fortuitous draw with Nigeria at the weekend in a game that sent the Super Eagles on their way to the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations finals and Bafana into a state of anxiety, SA face Paraguay in the Nelson Mandela Challenge match on Tuesday.

Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Nigeria has put Bafana coach Stuart Baxter in something of a dilemma.

He needs a positive result to lift the team, not to mention his standing with the fans and his bosses at the SA Football Association.

Does Baxter go with his strongest available lineup against the South Americans at Durban’s Moses Mabhida Stadium, or will he give some fringe players a game?

In the big picture, not beating Paraguay is unimportant, but getting a result in Bafana’s final Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Libya away in March is non-negotiable.

But before Baxter and his team contemplate the Libya showdown, there is Paraguay to face in the 24th edition of the Mandela Challenge.

It will be the first time Bafana play Paraguay in the annual Challenge, but not the first time SA take on South American opposition.

Top of the class for Tuesday’s match are undoubtedly Percy Tau and Lebo Mothiba.

The pair combined beautifully on Saturday against Nigeria for Mothiba to score for Bafana.

Tuesday’s game kicks off at 7pm.