Three things to look out for when Bafana Bafana face Swaziland

Bafana Bafana play Swaziland on Friday in an international friendly at FNB Stadium, with Hugo Broos saying he will only make a few changes between this game and the friendly against the Ivory Coast on Tuesday in Abidjan. Broos is focused on preparing the side for next month’s Fifa World Cup qualifiers and the Africa Cup of Nations finals early next year.

If experimenting is going to happen, however, it will surely happen in Friday’s game. Phakaaathi editor Jonty Mark takes a look at three things to look out for in this match at Orlando Stadium.

1. Who will lead the line?

Hugo Broos has a lot of in-form attacking players to choose from for the upcoming friendlies against Swaziland and the Ivory Coast, so it will be interesting to see who he chooses in attack on Friday. Zakhele Lepasa is the most likely choice in the central striking role, although he has lost a little bit of form for Orlando Pirates of late. Lyle Foster is another option, though he is playing more at Burnley on the left side of a front three. Mihlali Mayambela is another option for Bafana on the left side of attack. In the central role, Broos could also go for Strasbourg’s Lebo Mothiba, who impressed Broos against Swaziland and DR Congo, or even for Khanyisa Mayo, who has been firing in the goals for Cape Town City of late and was a late inclusuion in the squad to replace an ill Monnapule Saleng. Bongokuhle Hlongwane is a good candidate to be on the right side of attack, returning after missing the friendlies against Namibia and DR Congo.

2. Will Mduduzi Mdantsane get a chance to show he can be a number 10 for Bafana?

When Percy Tau withdrew from this Bafana squad, it was a little surprising that Bafana head coach Hugo Broos chose to replace him with Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Mduduzi Mdantsane. After all, Mdantsane is not playing that regularly for Chiefs at the moment. Broos, however, said he sees Mdantsane as a possible cover for Themba Zwane, who offers a unique creative aspect to Bafana’s attack, that Broos admits he struggles to replace when the veteran is not there. Swaziland may just provide a chance for Broos to give Mdantsane an opportunity to prove him right.

3. Will Broos take the handbrake off?

When Bafana played out a dull goalless draw with Namibia last month at Orlando Stadium, Broos went into the game with three defensive midfielders, a tactic that seemed like serious overkill. The Bafana head coach has said he is determined to beat Swaziland, after that disappointing performance. But to do that, against a side likely to sit behind the ball, Broos’ side will surely have to show more attacking intent than they did in September. This may well be helped by having Teboho Mokoena back in the squad, as he can provide an attacking threat along with fulfilling his defensive responsabilties.