5 Areas Of Concern For Bafana Ahead Of AFCON Last 16 Clash

Some areas of concern for Bafana Bafana ahead of their clash against Cameroon

With Bafana Bafana locking horns with Cameroon in the Africa Cup of Nations round of 16 encounter, here are five areas of concern for Hugo Broos and his charges.

Conceding and defending set-pieces

Bafana had nervy moments, conceding and defending set-plays in their 2-1 win over Angola and were not tested enough in a defeat to Egypt, who played the entire second-half with ten men and mainly defending.

South Africa were easily penetrated in open play by Zimbabwe in the 3-2 win and defensive solidity would be a major concern, with no clean-sheet so far in the tournament.

Midfield combinations

Bafana head coach Hugo Broos seems to be second-guessing his midfield pairings, with Teboho Mokoena having already played as a double pivot alongside Sphephelo Sithole and Bathusi Aubaas.

There was also an experiment of Thalente Mbatha as an eight, which did not work out against Egypt. Sipho Mbule has not had competition for a number ten role.

Impact players

Since Tshepang Moremi changed the complexion of the game when he came on from the half-time break, replacing Mohau Nkota in a 2-1 win over Angola, there has not been any Bafana player who has impressed or changed the game from the bench.

The likes of Relebohile Mofokeng and Elias Mokwana could not help South Africa break down ten-man Egypt after being introduced early in the second stanza.

Approach vs bigger teams

Bafana seems to only impose themselves, playing attacking football against the so-called lesser opposition, after playing on the front foot against Angola but sat deep and were waiting to play on counter-attacks against The Pharaohs, at least before they were reduced to ten men.

There is a big concern that South Africa can’t get out of their half when they play deep and should they adopt a similar approach against Cameroon, in a knockout game, does a counter-attack style suit the Bafana players?

Game management

Broos appears to take his time before making his substitutions in the tournament so far, with his game management being somewhat questioned.

Also, the Belgian coach has been making like-for-like substitutions, which puts a question mark on whether he can change the game on its head with a tactical change, something he is yet to do in this competition.

The 73-year-old’s changes have been predictable, with Moremi taking turns with Nkota, Oswin Appollis with Elias Mokwana, Lyle Foster with Evidence Makgopa etc.

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