Bafana Bafana (0) 1
Panama (0) 2
THEY USED the opportunity in different ways for the two Bafana Bafana players who were called by the national team’s coach Hugo Broos when he spoke before the friendly match against Panama on Tuesday night at DHL Stadium, Cape Town.
In this game, which was the first time in history that Broos was kicked at home, the winning goals for Panama were scored by Jose Cordoba and Giovanni Ramos, who finished off Mbekezeli Mbokazi’s.
Bongokuhle Hlongwane, who last scored for Bafana in 2022, did not have a good game since he got an easy chance in the first half and beat him before being sent off in the second.
Jayden Adams, who recently returned to the national team following his dispute with Broos, has shown signs of being ready to replace Siphefelo Sithole if Broos needs him.
Broos mentions both of these players by name that he looks up to them because he has to make a decision about them and the team going to the World Cup.
“I sent both of them back to see them closely, so it’s up to you to see if they use the opportunity or not,” said Broos about Hlongwane and Adams at SuperSport.
Although they were tied 0-0 at the break, what was clear was that Panama was showing signs of being better than the home team.
Seeing the danger, Broos took out Lyle Foster who was also denied opportunities with captain Ronwen Williams, whose places were covered by Evidence Makgopa and Renaldo Leaner.
Leaner had a hand in Cordoba’s goal with a late free kick.
When Panama scored, Broos replaced Themba Zwane, Thapelo Maseko and Oswin Appollis in place of Tsepang Moremi, Relebohile Mofokeng and Hlongwane.
All these players brought in by Broos came in and boosted Bafana until there was an equalizing goal which Mbokazi threw into the net following Zwane’s pass.
However, that joy soon disappeared when Ramos scored the winning goal for the visitors, which left Cape Town in tears.