Zwane leads Bafana’s demolition of Leone Stars
STHEMBISO DINDI AT FNB STADIUM SA (1) 4 Sierra Leone (0) 0
Scorers: SA — Themba Zwane (33m, 64m), Mihlali Mayambela (49m), Aubrey Modiba (72m)
● Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos’s questions about reactions to his apparent snub of Themba Zwane, 33, were all answered when the player spearheaded SA’s convincing 4-0 victory over Sierra Leone yesterday.
Zwane, the Mamelodi Sundowns star player, scored a brace when Bafana thumped hapless Leone Stars in an international friendly at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg.
Debutant Mihlali Mayambela and Aubrey Modiba scored the other two goals for Bafana, making for an almost perfect performance against the lowly-ranked Leone Stars.
Broos’s men were solid at the back, played well in the middle and were deadly in front of goal.
The clash marked the return of Zwane, who was overlooked because of his age by Broos in spite of constant outcries and criticism from both the media and fans.
Zwane has been one of the most consistent players in the Premier Soccer League in the past few seasons but this was the first time he received a call-up to the national side since Broos took the reins in May last year.
Zwane dispelled all the doubts the coach may have had about him, playing like he had a point to prove, scoring a beautiful goal after 33 minutes of the game.
The player received a good pass from Zakhele Lepasa and made an excellent turn inside the box before he put the ball at the back of the net.
The goal was not the only valuable contribution that came from Zwane as he created a series of opportunities for SA.
Another player who had a good game on his debut was the Cyprus-based Mayambela, the brother of former Orlando Pirates dribbling-wizard Mark Mayambela.
The combination of the 26-year-old Mayambela, who plays for Aris Limassol, Lepasa and Zwane had the Leone Stars defence on the back foot.
Mayambela took on the opponents without fear of making a mistake. The Cape Town-born star looks set to earn more caps for Bafana.
It was no surprise when Mayambela stormed onto the scoresheet after four minutes into the second half with the help of Lepasa.
Lepasa came up against rival goalkeeper Mohamed Kamara on the far left of the box and dribbled past the goalmouth to set up Mayambela for his first goal in national team colours.
While it looked like Sierra Leone were in the game in the opening half, Bafana took complete control and dismantled the visitors.
Zwane continued to shine on his return when he completed his brace on 64 minutes.
Mshishi, as Zwane is affectionately known, benefited from a Kgaogelo Sekgota pass to score his second goal.
Zwane received a standing ovation from Broos after the second goal —for a good few seconds before he returned to his seat.
Modiba completed Bafana’s rout when he scored in the 72nd minute after a goalmouth scramble.
The return of Zwane gave Broos his biggest win since he took the Bafana helm.
The coach will be hoping for more of the same when they face Botswana in another friendly at FNB Stadium on Tuesday (6pm).
However, Broos is likely to field a different team as his aim is to give everyone in camp a fair chance to prove themselves.
These matches form part of preparations for two crucial Afcon qualifiers SA will play against Liberia in March next year.