Hugo Broos is likely to ring the changes for the 2025 AFCON qualifier against the Cranes
Bafana Bafana will take on Uganda in their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on Friday looking to begin with victory.
South Africa will host the Cranes at the Orlando Stadium with coach Hugo Broos having expressed a desire to register maximum points before their clash away to South Sudan next Tuesday.
Heading into the match, Broos has some selection headache as he has admitted the match comes too soon since some of his players are yet to play competitive football.
From his squad, only Orlando Pirates and Stellenbosch players, alongside two foreign-based stars, have played five or more competitive fixtures so far, while Mamelodi Sundowns stars have featured in three games.
That could give an indication on how Broos will select his starting XI. Afrik-Foot predicts how South Africa will likely line up against Uganda.
Goalkeeper: Sipho Chaine
With captain Ronwen Williams out of the squad due to an injury, Pirates goalkeeper Sipho Chaine looks like the favourite to start between the posts, going by Broos’ sentiments.
Chaine has featured in Pirates’ five fixtures in the MTN8 and CAF Champions Cup so far, making him the goalkeeper with most minutes under his belt among the three selected.
SuperSport United’s Ricardo Goss, who has played one game so far this season, and his AmaZulu counterpart Veli Mothwa, yet to play a competitive fixture, are the other keepers at Broos’ disposal.
While Gross is Williams’ understudy, he did not cover himself in glory when he last played, his mistake against Andorra proving costly as Bafana Bafana drew 1-1 with the European minnows in March.
It leaves Chaine with a good opportunity to make his Bafana Bafana debut and what’s more, the match is at his home ground, the Orlando Stadium.
Right-back: Khuliso Mudau
The Mamelodi Sundowns right-back is guaranteed his place in defence as he has always been impressive whenever he dons the Bafana Bafana jersey.
Good defensively and offensively, Mudau allows Bafana Bafana to play an expansive game, due to his forward runs, and will keep his place at right-back given he is also among players with competitive football in their legs.
Left-back: Aubrey Modiba
Another Sundowns star who is a regular in the national team is Aubrey Modiba who will likely keep his place at left-back.
Modiba is a highly experienced full-back who Broos has relied upon on numerous occasions and is a favourite to start even if Stellenbosch FC’s Fawaaz Basadien has been impressive this season.
The 29-year-old’s experience should give him an edge over Basadien who is yet to earn his first national team cap.
Centre-back: Siyabonga Ngezana
Romania-based Siyabonga Ngezana is another of the players with competitive football under their belts.
Ngezana is just fresh from leading Romanian giants FCSB to the Europa League group stages, where the likes of Manchester United await.
He is the player with most games this season, having featured in 13 for his club and given he has been selected consistently by Broos, he will be among the first names on the team sheet.
Centre-back: Grant Kekana
The 2023-24 PSL Defender of the Season is another one who is guaranteed a place in the starting XI as he offers experience and leadership.
A reliable presence in defennce, Kekana missed the World Cup qualifiers against Nigeria and Zimbabwe in June but is now back, which is good news for Broos.
Central midfield: Teboho Mokoena
Another ever-present figure in Broos’ team, Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Teboho Mokoena offers South Africa’s defence good cover and only an injury can see him lose his place in the team.
A hard worker who is also good at tackling, Mokoena’s importance to Bafana Bafana cannot be overemphasised and his coach will be looking to benefit from his high work rate against the Cranes who will likely sit back and try to play on the counterattack.
Central midfield: Sphephelo Sithole
Mokoeana’s midfield partner Sphephelo Sithole is another who is guaranteed his place in the team even though he has not played many minutes of competitive football.
The midfielder has made two substitute appearances for his Portuguese side Gil Vicente, which ideally should work against him, but after building an understanding with Mokoena, Broos would not want to break it.
Attacking midfield: Themba Zwane
Interim captain Themba Zwane will start in the No10 role which he has made his own in the national team.
Zwane will be expected to pull the strings just behind the striker while also causing the Uganda backline problems.
Broos has complained about Mshishi’s bench role at Sundowns this season but that will not work against him in the September qualifiers.
Right wing: Elias Mokwana
Elias Mokwana left Sekhukhune United for Tunisian giants Esperance de Tunis last month but has only made one substitute appearance, having been afforded 13 minutes.
That should work against him but Broos does not have players of his experience and quality, leaving Mokwana as favourite to start on the right wing.
Left wing: Oswin Appollis
Polokwane City attacker Oswin Appollis has played just one competitive match this season but is among players who have recently been trusted by Broos and should continue.
His pace and trickery down the left wing gives South Africa dynamism in attack which will come in handy against the Cranes.
Centre-forward: Lyle Foster
Newly-signed Mamelodi Sundowns striker Iqraam Rayners has been the man relied upon by Broos upfront in recent matches but has featured only once this season which will likely lock him out of the starting XI.
Broos is keen on a sharp striker and Burnley forward Lyle Foster offers that over Rayners at the moment, having played five games for his club this season, while scoring one goal and providing an assist.
Bafana Bafana v Uganda Lineups
South Africa possible XI vs Uganda: Chaine, Mudau, Modiba, Ngezana, Kekana, Mokoena, Sithole, Zwane, Appollis, Mokwana, Foster
Uganda possible XI: Watenga; Muleme, Mugabi, Lwaliwa, Semakula; Mutyaba, Ssekiganda, Aucho; Mato, Mukwala, Okello
