Key matchups for Bafana Bafana against Cape Verde

There are going to be some key battles in Saturday’s Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinal when South Africa take on the Cape Verde Islands.

There will be four areas in particular the game could be won or lost. Here is SuperSport.com’s guide to what to watch for:

EVIDENCE MAKGOPA v LOGAN COSTA

If everything had worked out South Africa’s way, Lyle Foster would have led the attack with Lebogang Mothiba as his back-up. But mental health issues keep Foster at Burnley in England and Mothiba suffered yet another serious knee injury just weeks before the Bafana squad was announced. It means Evidence Makgopa has been thrust into the role of target man and while chances have been slim, he did not waste his one golden opportunity, in the last-16 against Morocco. Now the lanky Orlando Pirates faces a test upfront as he goes up against Loga Costa. The French-born defender from Ligue 1 club Toulouse already had a growing reputation when he arrived at the Cup of Nations finals, but he has significantly improved that with his performances in the Ivory Coast.

AUBREY MODIBA v RYAN MENDES

The better part of the Bafana left back’s game is his forward movement ad midfield penetration, but he might find himself needing to work harder in defence, and on his positioning, up against the wily Cape Verde captain. Ryan Mendes might be 34 now but is still full of pace and running, plus has a delicate touch and good shot. He is also ready to bounce on wayward defending as Edmilson of Kaizer Chiefs found out, to his cost, when he was up against Mendes for Mozambique in the group phase of the tournament in the Ivory Coast. But if Modiba can get on the front foot he will push Mendes back and keep him from exploiting the right flank of the Cape Verde attack.

MOTHIBI MVALA v BEBE

Mvala has been key at the back for Bafana in this tournament and is going to have his hands full with the former Manchester United striker. Bebe, who now plays his club football in Spain, does like to dribble too much and is not very good at it, so that will help South Africa’s cause but he has a wonderful first touch and a ferocious shot. His free kick against Mozambique in Abidjan is the ‘goal of the tournament’ and that is saying something given the quality of some of the finishes that have followed. Bafana are best advised to keep him sucked in rather than lurking on the fringes of the attack where he is always seeking to shoot at goal.

TEBEHO MOKOENA v KEVIN PINA

The midfield battle is going to be intriguing, and key will be who comes out tops between Mokoena and Pina, who is the more defensive of the two, and does not get as much forward as Mokoena does. Cape Verde’s midfield has been overshadowed by Bebe’s shooting and the running and pressing they do from the flanks but must not be underrated. Mokoena will have be sturdy in the middle to give Bafana their best chance.