‘Are we now relying on Pirates players? Khumalo wowed by two Buccaneers

Published on by Willis Sob, updated on

The Sea Robbers players have played a critical role for Hugo Broos’ Bafana Bafana in the last two international outings.

South Africa needed a late stunner by Thalente Mbatha to defeat hard-fighting South Sudan 3-2 in an interesting game staged at the Juba Stadium.

It was an important win for the Hugo Broos-led team who had dropped points at home against Uganda in Group K of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

On Tuesday, Pirates keeper Sipho Chaine was handed his debut after Veli Mothwa's blunder against Cranes. Teenager Relebohile Mofokeng and in-form Mbatha were introduced in the second half and played a vital role in helping his team get maximum points.

Mokwana and Mofokeng changed the game

Bafana Bafana and Kaizer Chiefs legend Doctor Khumalo was impressed with the way South Africa controlled the game despite the pressure from the home team.

He further lauded Elias Mokwana and Mofokeng for their positive contribution after coming on, “This game was a very difficult game, I thought we were just sailing and that’s it,” he told SABC Sport.

“What made us to be better is the composure and [and] belief in our abilities. We were playing to our strengths and not to the opponents' strengths. We had players we could introduce like Mokwana and Mofokeng, that changed the complexion of the game.

“That’s how the game is supposed to be, the bench is supposed to win games for you.”

‘Do we have to rely on Pirates?'

In the recent past, Bafana Bafana had to rely on Sundowns players to get wins in international matches.

In the Africa Cup of Nations, the Masandawana players played a crucial role in helping South Africa reach the semi-final, and eventually win a bronze. Khumalo feels the tide is now changing in favour of Bucs.

“I thought also Mofokeng on the left-hand side [played well] it paid dividends because Mofokeng is like an outright winger,” he stated.

“But again credit to Mbatha because it seems like he’s our match winner. It raises the question ‘Do we now have to rely on Orlando Pirates players because they played more competitive games?'”

The win puts Bafana joint top in Group K with four points, the same with Uganda, while Congo have three. South Sudan are at the bottom with no point.  

‘Are we now relying on Pirates players? Khumalo wowed by two Buccaneers

Willis Sob

Willis Sob is an experienced journalist who has been in the game since 2009, covering major assignments around the continent.
His hunger for African football is unmatched, always getting the best angles and facts to feed the fans and quench their thirst.