ALTHOUGH the coach of Lamontville Golden Arrows, Manqoba “TV” Mngqithi, pokes a feather at Hugo Broos, for restoring the reputation of Bafana Bafana, but there is still an area where he sees signs of weakness in this squad as it is still a few days before the World Cup starts.
Since 2002, Broos has been the first coach to put Bafana through his sweat in the World Cup where he was drawn in Group A.
Bafana, who will open the tournament by facing Mexico who is one of the hosts on June 11 at the Azteca Stadium, Mexico City, will continue with Group A with the match against South Korea and close with Czechia.
Apart from the history of the World Cup, Broos who is from Belgium has included Bafana in two Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) since he took the job in 2021.
Mngqithi, who has built a reputation for not keeping quiet even if it will cost him a lot to talk about, was sitting down with the Arrows media team when this problem came up which he described as a minor one he said he has with Bafana.
“Everything that happens in Bafana we have to accept as it is because I don’t believe that there is more that Broos can do,” said Mngqithi.
“It is important to highlight the role of Broos since he took the job until now. He has restored the dignity of our national team, so it is important that we applaud him.
“Despite that, there are places where when I watch the national team, I am left asking myself questions. The question that is always in my head is about the midfielders in the national team.
“I don’t think Bafana is strong enough for central defenders. When I think about the experience of the enemies we will face and then I notice what I notice about Bafana, I am still scared.
“In other places, I see that we are good, like on the right side at the back, but also on the left side, questions come back when the ball is in the hands of the enemy,” said Mngqithi.
Among the players that Broos is expected to leave out of the World Cup are Mbekezeli “TLB” Mbokazi, Nkosinathi “Bhodlela” Sibisi, Khulumani Ndamane and Ime Okon. There are still players like Siyabonga Ngezana and Grant Kekana who can force the coach to remember them.
Mngqithi is satisfied with Khuliso Mudau and Thabang Matuludi but is not fully satisfied with the place played by Aubrey Modiba and Samkelo Kabini.