Broos: Second Half Adjustments Were Needed

Bafana Bafana coach, Hugo Broos, disclosed that he implemented changes in the second half due to his dissatisfaction with the team’s first-half performance during their 2-0 victory over Lesotho in the FIFA World Cup qualifier at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium on Friday evening.

Relebohile Mofokeng and Jayden Adams scored the two goals for Bafana, marking their inaugural goals for the national team.

Broos’ lineup featured the return of Percy Tau and Lyle Foster, who led the attack alongside Elias Mokwana. Foster had missed previous matches due to injury, while Tau was absent from selection as he hadn’t been getting sufficient playing time at Al Ahly.

“Today’s three points were vital,” Broos mentioned in an interview with SABC Sport following the match.

“We expected a challenging match. We created four solid chances in the first half and should have converted, which made adjustments necessary.

“We started the second half with intensity, putting them under immediate pressure. Scoring the first goal was crucial as it was the toughest challenge.

“Even though we scored a bit late in the match, the important takeaway is that we achieved the win and earned three points.”

With this win, Bafana has ascended to the top of Group C with 10 points after five matches, leading by two points over second-placed Benin and third-placed Rwanda, who lost to Nigeria in Kigali on Friday.

Bafana Bafana will now journey via charter flight for their forthcoming match against Benin at Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny in Ivory Coast on Tuesday.

The previous encounter between these teams saw South Africa secure a 2-1 victory, with goals from Tau and Khuliso Mudau in the first round at Moses Mabhida Stadium in November 2023.