Bafana coach Broos to ring changes for South Sudan clash

Error might cost Mothwa the goalkeeper position, with Chaine and Goss ready to step in

09 September 2024 - 11:59
subscribe Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package.
Subscribe now
Veli Mothwa during Bafana Bafana's 2-2 2025 African Cup of Nations qualifying draw against Uganda at Orlando Stadium on Friday. The goalkeeper looks set to lose his place.
Veli Mothwa during Bafana Bafana's 2-2 2025 African Cup of Nations qualifying draw against Uganda at Orlando Stadium on Friday. The goalkeeper looks set to lose his place.
Image: Veli Nhlapo

Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos said he will ring the changes when they face South Sudan in their second 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Juba on Tuesday (3pm SA time).

South Africa nearly suffered a first official home match defeat under Broos on Friday when Uganda took a surprise 2-1 lead, only for Thalente Mbatha to save Bafana blushes with a late stoppage time equaliser to ensure a point.

Bafana have to win in Juba to get a foothold back in a Group K led early on by Congo, who beat South Sudan 1-0 in their opening game in Brazzaville on Thursday.

Ricardo Goss or Sipho Chaine seem set to replace Veli Mothwa after the goalkeeper's blunder that gifted Uganda what might have been a winner by Rogers Mato (53rd minute) until substitute Mbatha scored deep in stoppage time at Orlando Stadium.

After coming off the bench to change the game for Bafana on Friday, Thapelo Morena and Relebohile Mofokeng could start in the berths that were occupied by the ineffective Oswin Appollis and Elias Mokwana.

It seems highly unlikely Broos would leave the solid Sphephelo Sithole out of the starting line-up in favour of Mbatha. 

Bafana landed in Juba at midday on Sunday, reaching the destination via Ethiopia.

“We will try to find a solution on Tuesday and certainly not [by] starting to doubt this one or that one, but you can be sure there will be changes in the team,” Broos said.

“It’s not a nice thing for a goalkeeper when he makes that mistake. OK, it's 1-1 but as a keeper, you know what you did wrong and we could have lost the game with that.”

Broos did not hide his disappointment that Bafana only managed a point at home against the Cranes, saying that means they must win in Juba. Congo have three points and Bafana and Uganda a point each, with South Sudan propping up Group K on zero.

“I am disappointed we only have a point but we now have more reasons to win against South Sudan,” Broos said.

SowetanLIVE


subscribe Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package.
Subscribe now

Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.

Speech Bubbles

Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.