Orlando Stadium – Bafana Bafana coach Shakes Mashaba went into this match with his head on the chopping block after failing to qualify for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations.
Safa president Danny Jordaan made it clear, after their disappointing 1-1 draw with Mauritania, that something needs to change if this team is to qualify for the World Cup and Mashaba is to be in charge in the qualifiers.
But the players spoke about taking some of the blame on the eve of their encounter with the seven-time African champions Egypt because it’s them who are on the field. This is how they fared against the Egyptians.
Itumeleng Khune 5
Khune didn’t have much to do in this match but when he was called into action, he was up to the task. He was more active than Egypt’s goalkeeper Ahmed Elshenawy though, because the visitors were quick to the get to the box while Bafana wanted to pass the ball into the net as they were too indecisive in front of goals.
Abbubaker Mobara 7
The Egyptians attacked Bafana mostly through the left which meant that Mobara had to be alert to deal with their crosses and the second ball on the right. He did a good job at that, coming with a number of clearances. His speed came in handy as it allowed the rightback to push forward, but with enough in the tank to return to his defensive commitments.
Clayton Daniels 5
Daniels started off on a bad note when he passed a simple clearance straight to Ibrahim Salah but Khune saved Daniels’ blushes. He recovered well after that mistake to produce timely clearances. Despite Bafana dominating the possession, the Pharaohs created the better scoring chances which tested Daniels’ centreback partnership with Thulani Hlatshwayo.
Thulani Hlatshwayo 5
“Tyson” brought shape and a punch at the back. His leadership qualities came in handy in a new-look central pairing with Daniels. He commanded the box with authority, willing to put his body on the line for the team.
Tebogo Langerman 3
Langerman was the weak link at the back. Most of the Egyptian attacks came through his flank as he was easily pushed back by the visitors. He struggled when he had to go inside the box for cover when they stretched the right flank.
Andile Jali 7
Jali did well to boss a midfield that had Mohamed Elneny. He not only brought muscle but also intelligence. His good diagonal passes started many attacks. He and Furman protected the back four well against a side that was quick in their attack.
Dean Furman 5
Furman did the dirty work, imposing himself early into the match. He worked tirelessly throughout the 90 minutes covering almost every inch of the ground. He and Jali continued where they left off in the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers where they formed a solid central midfield pairing.
Mandla Masango 2
Masango was a passenger for most of the game. When his teammates tried to bring him into the game, like when Mpho Makola played him a beautiful through-ball, he fluffed it. He showed his rustiness as he hasn’t been in Randers’ match-day 18-man squad let alone the starting XI since July 24.
Keagan Dolly 5
Dolly made brilliant diagonal runs when Bafana were defending to launch swift counter-attacks with his burst of pace. But his teammates weren’t on the same page with him because those balls were either too long or behind, making him ineffective in that regard. When he had the ball at his feet, he dazzled the Egyptian defenders but more often than not that amounted to nothing.
Mpho Makola 8
Makola seems to enjoy the Nelson Mandela Challenge, especially in his home ground Orlando Stadium. He scored a stunning winning goal against Senegal last year. He was on the score-sheet again this year. But he did more than just score, he was the side’s creative spark and Bafana’s best player.
Thamsanqa Gabuza 3
Gabuza did well as the point of reference, playing with his back facing the visitor’s box. He has a knack of troubling Egyptian defenders with his physique, something he did well for Orlando Pirates in the 2013 CAF Confederation Cup. But he wasn’t effective when he finally turned as his goal drought and dip in confidence continues.
Sibusiso Vilakazi 5
Vilakazi replaced Gabuza with 30 minutes to go. He added more urgency in Bafana’s attack but often ran out of space to make an impact.
Ramahlwe Mphahlele 4
Mphahlele came on for Mobara just after the hour mark. He didn’t have much to do even though the Egyptians were chasing the game when he was brought onto the field.
Hlompho Kekana, who came on for Dolly, along with Deolin Mekoa who replaced Masango and Sifiso Hlanti, who came in place of Langerman, weren’t in the field enough to be rated.
Independent Media