South Africa had the eyes of the globe on them on Thursday as the World Cup got underway, but none of the Bafana Bafana players took the opportunity to make a strong impression on the greatest stage on which they will ever perform.
Mbekezeli Mbokazi was far and away the best South African on display in the then disappointing 2-0 loss to Mexico, but it was an overall timid performance with the players initially looking overawed as coach Hugo Broos took a defensive approach to the match.
These are the SuperSport.com rankings of the players who started and came on for Bafana Bafana:
Ronwen Williams (5):
The skipper made several good saves but must take some responsibility for giving away the opening goal with a pass to Sphephelo Sithole that was on the midfielder’s wrong foot and put him under immediate pressure. There was an even worse pass out from Williams early in the second half straight to the Mexicans that he was fortunate to get away with.
Khuliso Mudau (4)
There were the customary key tackles from the gum-chewing right back, but a strange indecision going forward and too many poor passes. He was also caught out for the second Mexican goal netted by Raul Jimenez.
Nkosinathi Sibisi (4)
The Pirates centre back was played on the right of three centre backs and was also out of position for Mexico’s second goal. He was also most fortunate not to give away a penalty late in the game for a clear body check that he somehow got away with.
Ime Okon (5)
Pace of the game caught the 22-year-old out a few times as he played in the centre of the three centre backs. Coach Hugo Broos said he was happy afterwards with the defensive showing, but often South Africa’s backline looks bewildered.
Mbekezeli Mbokazi (7)
At 20 years and 265 days old, he became the second youngest South African to start a World Cup match after Benni McCarthy in 1998. Mbokazi was aggressive in his defending and pushed forwards when he could, even trying a long-range effort in an example to his teammates of how to play on the big stage.
Aubrey Modiba (5)
Committed the first foul of the game after three minutes but ended up as one of the better performers, trying his best to get ahead into attacking situations and also attempting a long-range shot on goal. His hamstring injury looked to give him problems near the end of the contest.
Jayden Adams (5)
Adams had some positive touches and made some telling tackles in a midfield battle that saw Bafana mostly on the back foot. His passing range, however, was disappointing and he was taken off after an hour with Themba Zwane brought on in his place.
Teboho Mokoena (4)
Mokoena looked lost in the game, saddled with too much defensive work and irritated from the start after picking up the tournament’s first booking in the 17th minute. Particularly poor was his passing which saw several opportunities to set up a breakaway wasted.
Sphephelo Sithole (3)
Gave the ball away too often and was guilty of some flying tackles as he was caught for pace. Never the smoothest cog in the Bafana wheel, he was unlucky, however, to be sent off as he was trying to cover for the centre-backs who had gone walkabout.
Iqraam Rayners (4)
Not much to enthuse over as there was little ball delivered to Rayners, who took up a role on the right of the attack but had few touches, a total of 16, and no efforts on goal.
Lyle Foster (3)
Two poor early passes set the tone for a miserable showing from the country’s lead striker, who had a header opportunity near the end of the first half that he put wide. It was no surprise he was the first player taken off after 56 minutes.
Thalenthe Mbatha (5)
Brought on to strengthen the midfield after Sithole’s dismissal, he replaced Foster but had little opportunity for a characteristic forward surge with all the help he had to chip into the defensive work.
Themba Zwane (4)
No impact in the 20 minutes that the 36-year-old played before an unfortunate red card. He became Bafana’s oldest World Cup competitor when he came on for Adams.
Oswin Appollis (6)
Characteristically, Appollis was always looking to set himself up with a scoring opportunity and reminded Broos he should be starting the next match on Thursday against the Czech Republic.
Evidence Makgopa (-)
On in the 76th minute and did not get any opportunity.
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