Retired Chiefs gloveman raises questions on Bafana depth

Retired Kaizer Chiefs gloveman and legend Brian Baloyi has serious questions regarding depth in the Bafana Bafana squad as he believes the bench is thin.

Baloyi, a retired Bafana and Chiefs gloveman who manned the goalposts back in 1998 when the side reached the Afcon final, has serious questions about depth.

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The Chiefs’ legendary gloveman who turned football pundit with SABC Sport, says once players such as Themba Zwane, Sphephelo Sithole, and Percy Tau are injured or booked, Bafana are in trouble.

The celebrated retired gloveman’s concerns and questions come in the wake of Bafana’s Afcon Round of 16 qualification and will meet Morocco next week.

RETIRED CHIEFS GLOVEMAN RAISES QUESTION ON BAFANA DEPTH

Looking at the Bafana’s previous two Group E matches at Afcon, coach Hugo Broos did not ring any changes but the retired Chiefs gloveman, Baloyi questions the options on the bench.

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The man nicknamed Spiderman also feels Broos should have included players such as Khanyisa Mayo in his Afcon squad – he raises serious questions.

“When you look at Sphephelo Sithole, if he gets an injury or bookings, we might be in trouble,” said retired Chiefs gloveman, Baloyi to iDiski Times about depth in the Bafana squad.

“Teboho Mokoena is still there, but when you look on the bench, we are thin in terms of replacement.

“You look at Themba Zwane, without him (we are in trouble). You look at Percy (Tau, same). We still have a long way to go if we are building.  

“I would love to see us, this squad, going all the way at least into the quarters or semis and that would be good build-up for the qualifications for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.  

“But currently, for me, there are a lot of players that we feel should have made the team.

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“I still don’t know how [Khanyisa] Mayo is at home, but again looking at the players that are there, it looks like our first eleven is all we have.”

LEGEND BALOYI IS UNHAPPY WITH BAFANA AND DEPTH AT AFCON

The esteemed Chiefs and Bafana retired gloveman who also kept goals for Mamelodi Sundowns is concerned about the character of the players on the bench.

“When you look at the substitute, when you look at the heat there, when it comes to crunch time, most of them, the legs are going to be gone because (some) have had 180 minutes to 270 minutes,” added the Amakhosi retired gloveman.

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“As we go, there will be more tired big heads. Not only those positions I’m worried about, but I’m also worried about Ronwen Williams (in goals).

“If anything had to happen, I’m not sure if the boys on the bench have the guts and personality to carry the nation.”   

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