Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has spoken glowingly of Mamelodi Sundowns right-back Zuko Mdunyelwa and other new faces in the team.
Mdunyelwa made his debut for South Africa during their 3-0 defeat against Lesotho in the FIFA World Cup qualifier at Free State Stadium on Tuesday.
The Brazilians defender was brought on as a substitute in the 6th minute, playing 85 minutes after replacing the injured Nyiko Mobbie.
After the match, Broos spoke highly of the player, saying he was confident about him the moment he stepped onto the field.
Broos was also pleased with the performances of the new players in the Bafana team, including Mohau Nkota, Thabo Moloisane, and Sipho Mbule.
“I think I said yesterday in the press conference that what I saw in training gave me confidence and also from the new boys,” said Broos.
“And when you have to come in like a Zuko, after [first] five minutes of the game, it’s not easy, certainly not for your first game, but he did it very well.
“And I was confident the moment he came in because when I saw in training, it gave me confidence. So, yeah, for us it’s a pity that we have those injuries [Nyiko Mobbie] again.”
With Mobbie’s injury, Broos stated that a replacement will be chosen for the team before Tuesday’s match against the Super Eagles in Nigeria at Free State Stadium.
“So, Moloisane is not so bad, but [Nyiko] Mobbie is out. So, we have to call someone else. And I will decide in the next hour [who] that will be,” he added.
“And that’s maybe the only negative point of this game. But again, that can happen in the game. And like I said in a few minutes ago, I saw a very motivated and aggressive team of Lesotho.
“And that’s also why we have those injuries. So, but again, I will see who we will call for the game of next Tuesday.
“But that doesn’t mean now that we are panicking. Again, we are in a very good situation, and we have to try to keep that.”
