Broos not happy with performance but grateful for win over South Sudan

By Ayanda Nyuswa

Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has expressed disappointment about his team’s performance against South Sudan, but was also grateful for the win and collecting all three points. Thalente Mbatha netted a late winner for South Africa, replicating his heroics from last week at Orlando Stadium, to help them record a 3-2 victory at the Juba National stadium in their 2025 AFCON qualifier.

South Africa’s defence proved to be porous once again as mistakes cost the team in conceding both goals. Siyabonga Ngezana was the guilty party for the first goal as he conceded a foul in the box that gifted the home side a penalty that was converted by attacker Tito Okello. Oswin Apollis continued with his fine form in national colours by scoring a first half brace that took Hugo Broos’ men into the break with a 2-1 lead.

Another soft and sloppy moment in defence gave the home side a sight at goal in the 57th minute with Valentino Yuel making no mistake in slotting the ball past Sipho Chaine, who conceded twice on debut.

Mbatha came off the bench alongside Relebohile Mofokeng, Elias Mokwana and Iqraam Rayners, to score the winning goal in added time, which saw South Africa win their first match of the AFCON qualifiers, and go level with the Cranes of Uganda on four points in Group K.

Broos thanked the lord for getting results in both games against Uganda and South Sudan, but highlighted key mistakes made by his players in both matches against Uganda and South Sudan.

“I am very happy that we still could win the game, honestly I didn’t believe in it anymore. We’re lucky that the good Lord was with us in those two games, that we scored in the 94th and today in the 95th minute.”said Broos speaking to local media after the match.

“First half we could have scored more, this is also something we didn’t do today. The game couldn’t have been done after 45 minutes but then the post, whatever, those things or those chances have to be goals. Again we put ourselves in problems today but at the end it was a happy end for us so I am very happy with it.”

Broos believes his team lacked match sharpness in the two group encounters, which he attributed to the delayed start of the Betway Premiership with the lack of top level competition for his players.

“We don’t have enough sharpness in our game because of the lack of competitive games, 80% of my team of the 23 players only played friendly games because the competition (league) didn’t start in South Africa.”