Here are the three key playmakers for Bafana Bafana in their World Cup opener against Mexico: Relebohile Mofokeng, Lyle Foster, and Ronwen Williams. Picture: BACKPAGEPIX
Image: BACKPAGEPIX
The Fifa World Cup is finally upon us, and that means Bafana Bafana will be taking on co-hosts Mexico in the tournament opener on Thursday.
Kick-off is at 9pm at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.
The pressure will be on hosts Mexico to deliver all three points as a host nation, but there will also be significant expectations on a rejuvenated Bafana side under coach Hugo Broos.
Here are three Bafana players that could have a massive influence on the game.
At 21, the Orlando Pirates sensation Relebohile Mofokeng will have everything to prove on the biggest stage. Here’s a player who could easily go on to ply his trade in the biggest leagues in the world, but first he has to replicate the form he has shown at his club.
His attacking flair though is what could set him apart, and he could easily pull off something like Siphiwe Tshabalala did in the opening fixture of the 2010 Fifa World Cup.
Another serious attacking talent, Lyle Foster is Mr Dependable for Bafana. The 25-year-old is currently on the books for English outfit Burnley and could be the most dangerous attacker at Bafana’s disposal.
Foster, however, is low on confidence at the moment according to Broos - but he will have worked on that during their preparation in Mexico.
While it’s a bit of a stretch to classify goalkeeper Ronwen Williams as a playmaker, his performance will be vital to Bafana’s aspirations. This is especially true if they find the significant Mexican attacking threat difficult to handle and Bafana opts to ‘park the bus’. Mbekezeli Mbokazi will also go a long way in marshalling the Bafana defence.
Williams, though, will no doubt will be called on to make a number of saves, and any slight mistake could prove catastrophic.