Hlatshwayo ‘needs to get more vocal’
International level demands stronger leadership from captain – Mokoena
Former Bafana Bafana captain Aaron Mokoena has urged current national team leader Thulani Hlatshwayo to be more vocal, especially in tonight’s crucial 2018 Fifa World Cup qualifier against Cape Verde at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban (7pm).
Mokoena is in camp with the national team, having been brought in as assistant team manager.
Nicknamed Mbazo (the axe) in his heyday for his tough tackling, Mokoena bears some similarities to Hlatshwayo, who is just as tough.
“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 as he chatted to the Sowetan while watching the 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, were now he needs to work even harder.”
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 needs to be heard, especially in that defence,” said Mokoena – himself a former centre-back.
“The th ing is, in that position, if you don’t talk much, you end up seeing yourself making a lot of mistakes.”
The good thing for Bafana is that Morgan Gould is likely to replace the suspended Eric Mathoho in central defence. Therefore, Hlatshwayo will have some help. “He’s so lucky, because I think he’s captaining a fantastic squad,” Mokoena added.
Meanwhile, playmaker Thulani Serero is likely to start, which could see Lebogang Manyama on the bench.
Bafana's record at Mabhida
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