A bold request on WHO TO START made to Bafana Bafana coach ahead of Panama date

Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has been told he made a mistake overlooking Relebohile Mofokeng in favour of veteran creative attacker Themba Zwane in the No. 10 role against Panama.

The 37-year-old Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder started on Friday before paving the way for the Orlando Stars youngster in the final third of the game. The game eventually ended 1-1 despite the many chances that the hosts created at the Moses Mabhida Stadium.

On Tuesday, the two nations meet again at the DHL Stadium in Cape Town, where South Africa are expected to get a victory.

Despite conceding that Zwane has massive quality and experience, former Kaizer Chiefs winger has explained why Mofokeng should be considered in the starting XI. He argues that failure to do that is demoralising a player who has been doing well in recent weeks.

Bafana Bafana coach Broos asked to start Mofokeng

“Our starting 11 was questionable. I was not going to play Mshishi after Rele won player of the month. The boy is doing well, play him as a number 10. I know you trust Mshishi but just play him [Rele],” Khanye said as quoted by iDiski Times.

“I’ll borrow from [Carlo] Ancelotti’s statement what he said after the game between France and Brazil. They asked him about Neymar after the loss. He said players who are physically fit, really sharp and playing regularly in top leagues or doing well for their team he starts them, then relying on a player who’s not physically fit, a player that can be used as an excuse after losing a game.

“Mshishi we know what he can do but you can’t start him because even at Sundowns he’s not playing regularly. And today [Friday] he lost possession and you can see he’s not that confident. This is preparation whether we lose or win it doesn’t matter. Yes, you need results but it’s also about how you play.

“From my observation you can see the coach wants to start him [Zwane] against the likes of Mexico. He shouldn’t do that when he has fit players who can do well like this boy. Player of the month, don’t demoralize him, start him. Mshishi has done a lot for South African football but trust Rele,” Khanye concluded.