Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos says he was impressed with his new-look centre-back pairing in the 1-1 draw against Panama on Friday evening.
Ime Okon of Hannover 96 earned a start alongside Mamelodi Sundowns’ Khulumani Ndamane and looked assured in possesion, buidling out from the back with notable aerial presence and physicality to deal with the Central American nation.
While there were a couple of nervy moments in the second half, Broos singled out Ndamane’s passing range and admits he ticked all the boxes expected of him in deputising for Mbekezeli Mbokazi – who is expected to start on Tuesday in Cape Town.
“The whole team played a very good game, including Ndamane and Okon – with Ndamane he’s played a few, but for Okon it was his first [under me], I think both players in central defence are good,” Broos said.
“Ndamane has several very good passes in the second half, he put players nearly alone in front of goal, and this is something I wanted to see, I wanted to see Ndamane determined, concentrated and focused on the game and he showed he can do that, I’m very happy.”
Having started the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign with Siyabonga Ngezana and Rushwin Dortley, both players are out with injuries heading into the tournament that will take place in June-July.
