Bafana Bafana young guns raise their hands with convincing win over Mozambique

Bafana Bafana concluded their international friendly week on a high note with a commanding 2-0 victory over Mozambique at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium on Tuesday night.

Goals from Sinoxolo Kwayiba and Ashley Cupido secured the win for South Africa on the night where they created several additional chances that could have seen the scoreline increase even further.

Head coach Hugo Broos was rewarded for taking a gamble by offering some of the less regularly featured players a chance to prove themselves on the international stage.

Following a goalless stalemate against Tanzania last Friday in what turned out to be a low-key affair, the second match of the window against Mozambique was anything but quiet.

Broos’ men came out firing from the outset, not only putting Mozambique’s defense under pressure but also giving the coaching staff plenty to think about as a number of the emerging players hit their strides quickly.

The first half saw Bafana’s youthful lineup carving out multiple chances in front of goal, though Mozambique’s goalkeeper Ivane Urrubal stood firm to deny them an early breakthrough.

However, the second half opened up significantly, and Mozambique’s defensive shortcomings were finally punished as Bafana found the back of the net twice. It brought to a close a friendly window that may very well mark the beginning of promising careers for several of the team’s young talents.

Here, Obakeng Meletse will profile the three most impressive fringe players who made a strong case for future selection in the national setup.

Sinoxolo Kwayiba

The midfielder, who has been heavily linked with a move to Orlando Pirates, would have hoped to make more of an impact, particularly in front of goal, as he frequently found himself in promising positions but was let down by his finishing.

Nonetheless, his movement and positioning constantly troubled Mozambique’s backline, forcing them to stay alert at all times. His knack for finding space was eye-catching, and had his final touch been more clinical, the outcome might have been even more memorable.

Despite opening the scoring, there was a sense that the 25-year-old’s night could have been even more productive given the chances that came his way.

Mohau Nkota

A product of the Pirates' development system, Nkota showed tremendous energy and intent, particularly in the opening half. His pace and sharp shooting from a distance kept the Mozambican defense guessing and under pressure.

The 20-year-old winger consistently posed a threat, and although several opportunities didn’t result in goals, it was his two assists that ultimately helped Bafana secure their comfortable two-goal lead and see out the match.

Mbekezeli Mbokazi

The 19-year-old center-back has earned a reputation for consistency ever since making the jump from Pirates’ junior ranks into the senior side earlier this season. He once again showed maturity beyond his years with another composed performance.

While he had a relatively quiet opening half, the second period saw Mozambique push forward in search of a response. Mbokazi was rock-solid in defense, meeting each challenge with calm assurance and not putting a foot wrong, even as pressure mounted late in the game.