Bafana coach Hugo Broos can rely on Bathusi Aubaas to boss the midfield against Cameroon
The hardworking midfielder Bathusi Aubaas could be the key to unlocking Bafana Bafana's potential at the AFCON.
Substitute Bathusi Aubaas was one of Bafana Bafana's star performers against Zimbabwe on Monday evening in Morocco.
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Mamelodi Sundowns’ midfield dynamo, Bathusi Aubaas, has emerged as a contender for a starting XI berth in Bafana Bafana’s side to face Cameroon on Sunday.
The midfield position promises to be pivotal in Bafana Bafana’s quest for AFCON glory.
In his AFCON debut, Aubaas delivered a standout performance in the final group match against Zimbabwe last Monday. Coming on as a second-half substitute for Sphephelo Sithole, who struggled amid the pressure and held a yellow card, Aubaas immediately made an impact.
His quickening of the tempo and precise passing left a strong impression on Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos, who hinted at Aubaas’s potential to play a significant role in the upcoming knockout clash.
“Bathusi did very well when he came in. We had more pace on the ball, and his passing was good,” Broos stated.
“We can use Bathusi in the knockouts after this performance,” he added, paving the way for the talented midfielder to secure his place in the starting XI.
Meanwhile, fellow midfielder Sithole has candidly acknowledged his struggles and the team’s need for improvement. Having started all three group matches, he reflected on the squad’s less-than-stellar performance relative to prior years.
“I know what I need to do, where I need to improve,” Sithole said. “We haven’t been in the form of the previous two years. But we spoke about it among the group, and we told ourselves we need to go back to basics for us to go back to where we were.”
Echoing the urgency of the situation, he continued, “If we lose one game, we’re going to go home. So, we need to improve in many aspects and then take it from there.” With the looming elimination round upon them, the pressure to perform has reached unprecedented levels.”
Bafana Bafana’s upcoming encounter with Cameroon promises a fierce battle as they look to harness the energy of their talented squad. Should they advance, they would meet the winners of the match between hosts Morocco and Tanzania in the quarter-finals, a prospect fraught with both excitement and pressure.