Katlego Mphela advises Hugo Broos to handle Teboho Mokoena’s return with caution

Key midfielder Teboho Mokoena returns for Bafana Bafana ahead of facing Canada.

The availability of Teboho Mokoena for Bafana Bafana’s crucial Fifa World Cup Round of 32 clash against Canada presents a welcome selection headache for coach Hugo Broos, but he must guard against a defensive approach.

Mokoena returns to the Bafana setup after serving a one-match suspension during the 1-0 win over South Korea, having accumulated yellow cards in the first two group-stage matches against Mexico and Czechia.

Given Mokoena's influence and quality, Broos is expected to start the 28-year-old in midfield. However, the question remains: who will he sacrifice between Sphephelo Sithole and Thalente Mbatha? Or will he opt for a three-man midfield instead? That remains to be seen.

To outside observers, it is evident that a midfield trio does not work for Bafana. It backfired in the 2-0 loss to Mexico, as well as in the first half of the 1-1 draw with Czechia in Atlanta. 

Deploying three midfielders tends to create a more defensive structure, causing the team to play cautiously and with fear. This ultimately limits their inroads into the final third, where goals are created and scored.

Because the two-man midfield pairing of Sithole and Mbatha worked so well against South Korea, most South African supporters, pundits, and former players alike want Broos to retain the same structure to ensure a dynamic, offensive approach.

Speaking exclusively to Independent Media, former Bafana striker Katlego Mphela said that while Broos will feel compelled to make space for Mokoena in the engine room, he shouldn’t disrupt the team's existing structure.

“I am a bit worried because he might try to accommodate him, change the formation, and want to play with the three of them, which will be negative again,” Mphela said.

“I was very impressed with Yaya (Sithole) and how he managed to redeem himself after the first game. He pulled up his socks, so I think he was one of the best players on the field. 

“Thalente also brought stability. He controlled the tempo of the game. And then there’s Tebza (Mokoena): he’s an important part of the team. He’s someone who has experience and is a leader. He’s been doing well.”

Mphela wasn’t the only one impressed by Mbatha and Sithole against South Korea. Former Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane – who has been heavily linked with replacing Broos after the World Cup – shared the same sentiments.

“The master of tactics in that game was Mbatha,” Mosimane said as he reflected on Bafana's win over South Korea on his podcast, Changing the Game with Pitso Mosimane, on Thursday morning.

Mosimane also lauded Sithole for bouncing back with a fine performance. Sithole had a poor start in the opening game against Mexico, where he was responsible for the first goal and received a red card early in the second half.

Given all of this, Mphela has put his head on the block and named the player he thinks Broos should sacrifice to maintain a balanced structure against Canada in Los Angeles on Sunday night (9pm).

“I think he’s going to drop Yaya,” Mphela predicted. “It won’t make a massive difference if he's dropped, but I will feel sorry for him if he’s benched.”