Moseamedi is Bafana material

I do think that when Mauricio Affonso plays as a starting striker, it changes the way Sundowns need to play. They realised that and at half time and the instruction seemed to be to get the ball to him earlier in the air, and Affonso’s dominance in the box was the difference.

It was certainly a game of two halves, Maritzburg dominated in the first half, they were compact in the middle of the park, and played in triangles, where Keagan Buchanan and Miguel Timm sat in defensive midfield and Daylon Claasen operated in front of them. Because of that, they were able to limit the run through central midfield of Sundowns and caught Masandawana on the counter-attack.

In the second half Sundowns, took advantage of the aerial excellence of Affonso and the tide changed a bit. There were controversial decisions, but Sundowns were better in the second half. It was not vintage Richard Ofori, with the United ‘keeper coming off his line like that and missing the ball for Affonso to head in. His timing obviously wasn’t correct, but it is unlike him, because the job was done up until then. But he is part of why Maritzburg have had a change in fortune overall this season, and a part of the reason why they were in the final in the first place. It happens to the best of us, it was one split second.

It was good that the match officials got the Moseamedi offside decision at the end right. Of course Eric Tinkler was emotional at the end of the game, United did extremely well to get to the final, they took the lead and then conceded an equaliser via a mistake from Ofori. After that, they even changed it up and were more attacking. I assume Tinkler hadn’t seen a replay, when he made his comments and at first glance even with the first slow-motion, you would say it was a goal and United were cheated. Only when you could dissect it could you realise it was possibly not a goal, so it was understandable what he was going through.

I do think Judas Moseamedi could make a difference in the Bafana Bafana team. Firstly there is his size, and Bafana play first in Africa, before they play in Europe. When you play on the continent the physical demands of the game are there. Moseamedi is playing some of his best football right now. Beside being strong, his movement between the lines is phenomenal. he keeps the opposition defence busy and on their toes. He has definitely put his hand up for selection for Bafana.

Having competed regularly on the continent with Sundowns, I think Pitso Mosimane has become a better coach against different opposition. Against continental opponents there is a striker who will do nothing fancy but in the penalty area he will cause problems. It is what Mosimane wanted when he signed Jeremy Brockie, and I think Brockie is as good as Affonso in the air, and edges him with his feet.

They are similar players, Affonso does his work in the box, doesn’t come too deep, he is a threat in the air, and Sundowns have players who can give him service, like Tebogo Langerman and Lyle Lakay.

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