Broos’ training plans hit snag as Bafana beat Lone Stars
Zwane’s brace propels South Africa to emphatic victory
Bafana Bafana’s friendly matches against Sierra Leone yesterday and Botswana on Tuesday could be the last before coach Hugo Broos and his charges take on Liberia in backto-back decisive Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers next March.
As Bafana will not be at the World Cup in Qatar from November 20 to December 18, Broos has planned to assemble his squad for a training camp and friendlies in November, but the snag is that the PSL has already pencilled in its four-team Carling Black Label Cup jamboree for November 12.
In denying Broos the players for the training camp, the PSL could argue that the proposed dates for Bafana to assemble fall out of an official Fifa window.
If Safa and Broos do not have their way in persuading the PSL to change the date for the PSL friendly cup competition, Broos will only be able to have contact with his players in March, six months after this week’s two Fifa window friendlies.
Broos scheduled the two matches mainly to instil some confidence in the Bafana players and among supporters, following the humiliating 5-0 drubbing by France in March.
Against Sierra Leone at FNB Stadium on Heritage Day yesterday, South Africa looked threatening from the first whistle.
It did not come as a surprise when the prodigal son and multiple PSL championship winner, midfielder Themba Zwane, opened Bafana’s account to give Bafana a first-half advantage.
Set up on the left flank by forward Zakhele Lepasa, Mihlali Mayambela scored on his debut after several attempts at goal, to increase Bafana’s tally to 2-0 four minutes from restart.
Keeper Mohamed Kama was seemingly wondering what had hit him as the evergreen and enduring Zwane got his brace in the 64th minute after an effortless move and swerve to beat the Lone Star goalminder. After putting in a good shift, Aubrey Modiba made his mark on the score sheet eight minutes later, putting the fourth and final nail into Sierra Leone’s coffin. Judging by Bafana’s performance against the West Africans, it would be a huge surprise if Botswana’s Zebra beat Bafana at FNB Stadium on Tuesday.