Five pivotal battles that could determine Bafana Bafana's World Cup fate against South Korea
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KHULISO Mudau and Ime Okon leading Bafana Bafana during training ahead of the FIFA World Cup match.
Image: BackpagePix
When Bafana Bafana step onto the pitch this Thursday for their do-or-die World Cup Group One finale against South Korea, survival will depend on winning the micro-battles.
Hugo Broos’ men know that anything less than three points will send them packing.
But standing in their way is a technically superb, battle-hardened South Korean side boasting elite European pedigree. If South Africa are to achieve the impossible and book a ticket to the Round of 32, they must neutralise the Taegeuk Warriors man-for-man.
Here are five head-to-head matchups that could decide Bafana Bafana’s World Cup destiny.
1. Khuliso Mudau vs Son Heung-min
This is the blockbuster matchup of the night. Son Heung-min loves to drift out to the left flank before cutting inside onto his devastating right foot. Waiting for him will be Khuliso Mudau, who has been caught out of possession on a few occasions during Bafana’s first two games. Mudau, though, is a better player than he’s shown thus far at the World Cup and will want to prove it by neutralizing Korea’s greatest threat.
2. Evidence Makgopa vs Kim Min-jae
If Bafana wants to win, they have to score, and that means finding a way past Kim Min-jae. The towering South Korean center-back is an absolute colossus in the air and deceptively fast on the ground. Evidence Makgopa is South Africa’s best hope of unsettling him. The Orlando Pirates striker made an immediate impact after coming off the bench against the Czech Republic, holding play, and using upper-body strength, and should be included in the starting XI.
3. Jayden Adams vs Lee Kang-in
Paris Saint-Germain’s Lee Kang-in is the creative heartbeat of the Korean side, floating dangerously in the half-spaces between the midfield and defensive lines. Tracking him will be the responsibility of Jayden Adams, who is set to replace the suspended Teboho Mokoena in the Bafana engine room. Adams is brilliant at breaking up play and launching counter-attacks, but his defensive discipline will be tested to its absolute limit here.
4. Aubrey Modiba vs Hwang Hee-chan
Hwang Hee-chan earned the nickname "The Bull" for a reason. He is pure, unadulterated power, constantly driving at defenders with terrifying momentum. Tasked with stopping him is Bafana left-back Aubrey Modiba. Modiba has to use his intelligence, anticipating Hwang's heavy touches and relying on his center-backs for tight cover when the Korean winger attempts to drive toward the byline.
5. Sphephelo Sithole v Hwang In-beom
Hwang In-beom is South Korea's metronome, dictating the tempo and endlessly recycling possession. Bafana’s Sphephelo "Yaya" Sithole should be back in the line-up after being red-carded against Mexico in the opening game. He will be determined to make up for his suspension against Czech Republic, bringing endless stamina and gritty tackling to the Bafana midfield.
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