ON THE MARK: Loyalty is always a trait to be admired

Loyalty is always a trait to be admired but practicality and common sense must never be underestimated either.

Hugo Broos enjoys the affection of his players because he has their back, but he also has a stubborn streak that does the country’s national team little favours.

His selections over the years have been that of coach who prioritised more than just form and who has slowly learnt many of his theories, assumptions and ideas do not match the reality of the South African situation or the African game.

It was only in the months before the last Cup of Nations finals that Broos chose a team based on form rather than all the other factors he had imposed on the Bafana set-up, like age etc.

The result of putting the best players into the starting line-up was a successful Cup of Nations tournament in the Ivory Coast where their true potential was uncovered and where they got to the semifinals.

With a little luck, they should have made the final. Broos had put out the best team he could and was rewarded.

But last week, as the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers got underway with a home clash against Uganda, he put loyalty ahead of common sense and almost paid a heavy price.

The consistent selection of Veli Mothwa as a backup goalkeeper for the teams has been questioned for a long time, especially last season when he lost his place in the starting line-up at his club.

Mothwa is an affable character, certainly a good team man and been in the Bafana set-up fort along time, content to play back-up to Ronwen Williams and doing so with good humour and grace. But, with respect, he’s not even close to being one of the top three ‘keepers in the country.

Broos rewarded him for his loyalty and fielded him on Friday at the Orlando Stadium against Uganda’s Cranes, despite the fact Mothwa had not played a match since a 3-1 loss for AmaZulu to Lamontville Golden Arrows on the last day of the last league season.

Common sense dictated that Sipho Chaine win a first cap. He has played in five matches already this new season for Pirates, three in the MTN8 and two in the African Champions League and in one of them was named man of the match.

Mothwa’s goalkeeping howler that saw Uganda take a 2-1 lead could have happened to any goalkeeper. But surely Broos has enough experience to know how import it is to have form players in the national team, not good guys.

Chaine’s clubmate Thalenthe Mbatha got a last gasp equaliser to spare the blushes but even then, a single point from the opening game was not the start expected from the home clash against Uganda.

Broos is too often lauded as a saviour of the national side since the side’s exploits in the Ivory Coast. I think he’s been decided lucky at times.

Let’s see who he puts in goal for the second qualifier away in Soiuh Sudan but surely it cannot be Mothwa.