Zwane, Mokoena and Williams key to SA hopes of progressing
IF Themba Zwane, Teboho Mokoena and Ronwen Williams can impose themselves on Tunisia in today’s Africa Cup of Nations Group E clash in Ivory Coast, their contributions will spearhead Bafana Bafana’s progress to the round of 16.
Zwane, the 34-year-old attacking midfielder, has become the linchpin of the side and produced an outstanding
performance against neighbours Namibia on Sunday. Apart from scoring two brilliant goals, the technically gifted player oozed class and determination.
On two occasions he set off on dribbles and left the Namibian players floundering in his slipstream. SA coach Hugo Broos was moved to acknowledge the role player-ofthe-match Zwane played in the 4-0 victory.
“It was the case of the maestro in the midfield, Themba,” said Broos.
“We know, and I said it already several times, when Themba plays well the team plays well. We saw it again (on Sunday).
“Even (if) it was not really his football. Themba is the man with the combination, but he knew where to go, and we could always give the ball to him.”
Broos said his blueprint for the Namibia match was not in keeping with his preferred style of play, but the experienced Zwane adjusted well. His first goal was a gem and left the Namibian defence dumbstruck.
There was an equal measure of brilliance about his second goal.
With this sublime performance, he has emerged as one of the best players at the Afcon. Broos must have been thinking about the coming clash against Tunisia when he withdrew Zwane after 70 minutes.
Defensive midfielder Mokoena is another player Bafana will rely on to dominate the confrontational situations.
Bafana didn’t do too well in this area against Mali in the opening clash. However, Mokoena transformed the midfield against Namibia with his exceptional ability to read the game, and this was in evidence throughout the match although he surrendered possession on the odd occasion. He bossed the midfield and directed Bafana Bafana’s attacks by providing a link between players.
His interlinking provided substitute Thapelo Maseko with a classy goalmouth cross to score the side’s fourth goal, after he rounded the opposition’s defence out wide with a show of nifty footwork.
Bafana goalkeeper and captain Williams already showed his worth against Mali, even though the South Africans suffered a 2-0 defeat. He saved two certain goals after his leaky defence was drawn out of position.
Bafana changed their central defence for the Namibia clash and, overall, there was a marked improvement. Early in the match, however, Williams was let down by sloppy defensive work by his rearguard.
To keep the Namibian attack at bay, Williams showed a great sense of anticipation when he came off his line a few times to gather threatening goalmouth crosses and corner kicks. Over the past two seasons, Williams has produced some spectacular saves in both the domestic and continental arenas for Mamelodi Sundowns.
As one of the best shot-stoppers in Africa, he needs to produce another one of those match-winning performances today to ensure the Carthage Eagles will end up on the losing side.