JAYDEN Adams proved a very important player for Hugo Broos who recalled him after freezing him off in recent months due to ill discipline. | Backpagepix
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In the pre-Hugo Broos-era, the idea of back-to-back wins, especially in World Cup qualifiers, was a non-existent topic. Hence, Bafana Bafana last qualified for the global showpiece in 2002 – forget the 2010 qualification by default.
For Broos to achieve this rare feat in the recent qualifiers against Southern African neighbours Lesotho and West Africans Benin, he was always going to require some bold individual performances. So, we rate the combined run-on XI, which gives us 14 players.
The number 14 comes from the fact that Broos made only three changes in the run-on XI against Benin from the starters who faced Lesotho in Polokwane. Thapelo Morena, Bathusi Aubaas, and Thalente Mbatha replaced Elias Mokwana, Jayden Adams, and Teboho Mokoena.
Two clean sheets is any goalkeeper’s ideal return. Williams, though, was rarely tested in these two matches. He was called on to make one save against Lesotho, who managed just one shot on target, and saved another weak header against Benin. He almost deserves no rating or a straight 10 for clean sheets.
He was effective in his primary task of thwarting opposition attacks and, as always, executed his forward overlaps well, especially in the second match in Abidjan, where Benin showed more aggression and commitment compared to Lesotho.
He presented a solid front in central defence and combined well with Sibisi. The partnership between the two will make it hard for other central defenders in the setup. In both matches, he managed his central-to-attack overlaps without compromising his defensive duties.
He took on the role of anchoring the defence with strength. Overall, he was one of Bafana Bafana's best players in both matches — solid and calm in defence but always contributing in attack, especially during set-pieces. He should be part of the leadership group.
Fawaaz Basadien of Bafana Bafana. Photo: Backpagpix
Image: Backpagepix
As the last cog of the four-man wall, he loves going on overlaps and adds to Bafana Bafana's attacking arsenal. He will be important for the national side but needs competition as a specialist.
The midfield maestro played only the first match, and recent events prove that it was a wrong call, as he should have been serving a yellow card suspension. However, he remains a class act and has an eye for defence-splitting passes, which can transform defence into attack. He also threatened with long-range shots and took a wonderful free-kick.
He works well with Mokoena and, based on his performance in Polokwane, he'll be one of the first names on the team sheet going forward — especially as Broos enjoys the rare luxury of using him alongside his Sundowns teammates Mokoena and Aubaas. He scored two goals, both securing the wins.
He was not at his best but managed the midfield well in combination with Aubaas, anchoring the centre against Benin.
Bathusi Aubaas of Bafana Bafana. Photo: Backpagepix
Image: Backpagepix
He again proved to be a worker and slowed the game’s tempo well against Benin, who clearly had a plan to run Bafana ragged early in the match.
Given a rare start under Broos — who usually brings him in from the bench — he understood the requirements for him to open the field wider, even without the ball, in Abidjan.
On his first start for Bafana against Lesotho, he proved to be a masterstroke for Broos and Co. A threat from start to finish, he scored the important opening goal after threatening with several others. He was closely watched in Abidjan.
He took on more of a team player role rather than leading from the front as the most experienced on-field player in the current setup. He will need to step up. He played his 50th cap against Benin.
He unlocked the Lesotho midfield and defence, sending that all-important pass to Mofokeng for the first goal. With more confidence, he should be able to take players on more frequently.
Denied by the woodwork at the start of the second half against Lesotho, he was a marked man and made things worse for himself by turning the referee against him. However, to everyone’s relief, especially his own, he scored in Abidjan, which will be huge for his confidence.