Bafana Bafana striker Lyle Foster missed a penalty in their Fifa World Cup warm-up match against Nicaragua.
Image: Backpagepix
Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos fielded a makeshift team during the goalless draw with Nicaragua on Friday night at Orlando Amstel Arena, resting most of the regulars who are expected to start in their FIFA World Cup opening game against Mexico on 11 June.
Here are some key takeaways from Bafana’s final friendly match on home soil before heading to North America.
The Bafana No 9 returned to the national team following a disappointing season in the English Premier League (EPL), which ended in his club, Burnley, being relegated. Foster appeared short of match sharpness and struggled with his positioning throughout the Nicaragua draw. After he missed a penalty and was booed by sections of the crowd, he found it increasingly difficult to link up effectively with his teammates.
Broos admitted after the final whistle that Foster was low on morale and will require intensive support from the technical staff to get him into top physical shape and form ahead of the global showpiece.
Broos was clearly unhappy with Nicaragua’s defensive "low block", noting that the Central Americans failed to provide the necessary tactical test Bafana required on the night. However, the Belgian coach was still pleased with his fringe players’ overall performance, as they showed they could combine well on the pitch regardless of the domestic clubs they represent.
The tactician stated that seeing his squad link up and play with freedom gave him ample confidence that Bafana boast sufficient depth and cover for the regular starters.
Olwethu Makhanya and Bradley Cross made their Bafana debuts against Nicaragua, and both looked immediately comfortable on the international stage.
Makhanya was impressive enough to start and finish the match, slotting smoothly into the centre-back position. His talent, combined with his familiarity with North American conditions — courtesy of his MLS tenure with Philadelphia Union — will be highly valuable in guiding his teammates.
Cross commented after the game that being called up to the national team was a long-term dream, and he is delighted to have realised it just ahead of the most important tournament of his career.