Lack of passion: Possession without purpose continues to bog down Hugo Broos charges

By Sport Reporter

Perhaps it’s time for a serious introspection about Bafana Bafana. As often cautioned, unless we tackle the challenges head-on, they will come back to stab us in the back later on.

Do we really believe the current crop of players have what it takes to represent us fairly decently at the forthcoming AFCON in January next year?

Can these players set the world on fire by giving a credible performance at the World Cup? Fortunately the answer is a resounding NO…given the Bafana Bafana players pedigree and their mind-set.

For how does one explain their goalless draw against minnows eSwatini in an interntional friendly on Friday evening? Played before an empty FNB stadium  (who will bother to sacrifice a Friday evening for such mediocrity?) Bafana Bafana were uninspiring, impotent, and limp.

It may be that the 0 – 0 draw is an extension of Bafana’s unbeaten run to four matches across all competitions but as they travel to Abidjan where they are scheduled to face Ivory Coast on Tuesday they will have to do some serious soul-searching…

Evidently they will need an improved performance if they are to secure a result against the AFCON tournament hosts after being nullified by their neighbours at the FNB Stadium.

Hugo Broos’ weakened team, due to injury, were largely dominant on the ball against eSwatini but unable to break down a resilient Eswatini defence.

Eswatini, on the other hand, extended their winless run to four games across all competitions and they are set to lock horns with Botswana in Lobatse on Monday.

Bafana controlled the match from the first whistle with Mihlali Mayambela looking lively and Sihlangu Semnikati were happy to sit back and launch quick counterattacks.

Mayambela set up Themba Zwane who was denied by goalkeeper Khanyakwezwe Shabalala from close range in the fifth minute following a quick move by the hosts.

The Aris Limassol star then combined with Khanyisa Mayo who unleashed a low shot which was well saved by Shabalala in the 27th minute and the score was 0-0 at halftime.

Bafana applied pressure on the visitors’ defence after the restart and substitutes Bongokuhle Hlongwane and Mduduzi Mdantsane failed to score from close range in the 64th minute.

Sihlangu Semnikati then stood firm at the back and they launched a few chances in the latter stages of the game, but they couldn’t beat keeper Veli Mothwa and the match ended in a 0-0 draw.

Bafana coach Hugo Broos was least impressed as he blasted the performance of his side after they could only manage a goalless draw with Eswatini. “I am more than disappointed,” Broos told SABC Sport after the match.

“I didn’t understand why the team was playing like this. Already in the first half, there was no passion, no rhythm, I don’t know what is happening. I said at half time I hoped to see a better team but the second half was exactly the same. “They have to be honest with themselves, they know they were bad.”

Changes but no change Broos made three substiutions at half time, bringing on Bongokuhle Hlongwane, Mduduzi Mdantsane and Sibongiseni Mthethwa but Bafana still created very little. “You have to do something,” added Broos.

“Our play in the first half was a disaster. We had one chance, and we had another 20 minutes before the end, for the rest there was nothing. We were not even being dangerous, with all respect, against Eswatini!”

Broos has little time to turn the tide for Bafana in this international week, with a daunting friendly coming up against the Ivory Coast in Abidjan on Tuesday.

South Africa: Mothwa, Mobbie, Modiba (Mako 64’), Xulu (Kekana 64’), Sibisi, Mokoena (Mthethwa 46’), Blom (Lepasa 75’), Zwane (Mdantsane 46’), Mayo, Mayambela (Hlongwane 46’), Foster.

Eswatini: K. Shabalala, Twala, Myeni, Magagula (S. Shabalala 86’

CORKY DE KOK BOWLED OVER

Great win: TheProteas stuck to their game plan against Australia

By Sports Reporter

South Africa’s man of the moment, Quinton de Kock was all praise for the his side’s bowlers after their performance led them to a 134-run victory over Australia on Thursday, October 12, in Lucknow.

Opting to bowl first, Australia’s fielding was shoddy as South African batters made merry of the poor lines and lengths from the Aussie bowlers. The Men In Yellow were given target of 312 but Kagiso Rabada’s three-fer and some quality bowling helped the Proteas bowl out Australia for 177 in 40.5 overs.

De Kock, who was adjudged the Player Of The Match for his 109 runs, said that batting second was a bit tougheer under the floodlights. “A great win for the boys, assessed conditions well, played accordingly, stuck to our strengths and came out on top. They were potent up front, so we assessed our scoring options,” De Kock was quoted as saying after the match. 

“Definitely thought it was above-par, seen from the Lucknow team it gets harder at night and it did prove that. It was sweaty and humid, but the bowlers bowled with intensity, didn’t give them a sniff up front,” he said.

With this win, Temba Bavuma-led South Africa moved to the top of the league table with four points and a healthy net run-rate of +2.360, mostly thanks to their thumping win in both the games. De Kock said that his side won’t be careless despite the two wins under their belt.

“We are pretty pleased with ourselves, but only two games in, anything can happen, and quickly, won’t get too high, just take it game by game,” de Kock added.

If de Kock showed his class with a masterful 109 off 106 balls to take the Proteas to 311/7, the fast bowlers were at their ruthless best, bundling Australia for 177 in 40.5 overs for their second consecutive win.  The South Africans entered this game after a comprehensive victory in their opener against Sri Lanka.

Australia, on the other hand, bowled without a plan, looked equally clueless with the bat — losing wickets in clumps — and were sloppy on the field, dropping as many as five catches.

The loss will severely dent their confidence. They were also outplayed by India in their opener and sit second last in the 10-team table. 

De Kock, who will retire from the format after the World Cup, oozed confidence while scoring his second consecutive century with the help of eight boundaries and five maximums while Aiden Markram smashed 56 off 44 to help the team post the highest ODI total in Lucknow.

South Africa’s next match is against the Netherlands on October 17 at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharamsala.