Now that the dust has settled on Bafana Bafana’s international friendlies against Tanzania and Mozambique, national team coach Hugo Broos remains candid in his assessment of his squad’s capabilities, particularly regarding the search for a player who can match the unique skill set of Themba Zwane.
The 35-year-old Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Zwane is currently participating in the FIFA Club World Cup in the USA, leaving a notable void in the national squad that has yet to be filled.
Speaking on the challenges of finding a successor to Zwane, Broos remarked:
“I must be honest and say that until now, we didn’t find the second Themba, that type of player. But maybe we can solve it in another way, and that’s something we wanted to see also in those two games.”
While singing Zwane’s praises, Broos highlighted the potential of rising star Sinoxolo Kwayiba, the Chippa United midfielder.
The 25-year-old Kwayiba came off the bench against Tanzania and started in the subsequent match against Mozambique, where he left a mark by scoring and earning the ‘Player of the Match’ accolade in the team’s impressive 2-0 win.
He is no stranger to these awards after several impressive outings in the Chippa colours since the start of this season. Last October, he earned a national team call-up and made his debut against Congo Brazzaville in a 5-0 victory at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
Broos emphasised that while Kwayiba has shown promise, he brings a different playing style to the team. His attributes differ significantly from the seasoned Sundowns captain.
“Kwayiba has a totally different style of play from Themba, even if they play the same position,” Broos elaborated.
The Belgian coach is keenly aware of the long-term implications of Zwane’s absence, noting that there is no guarantee the experienced player will be fit in time for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers next September, against Lesotho (away) and Nigeria (home).
He said: “Who can assure me that Themba will be ready in September? So, we must look for other solutions.”
As Bafana Bafana prepares for future engagements, Broos remains optimistic that they can adapt their gameplay to overcome the challenges posed by the absence of key players like Zwane. His honest appraisal suggests a commitment to innovation, keeping the team competitive on the international stage.
Meanwhile, Kwayiba, who has expressed his desire to join one of South Africa’s ‘Big Three’, Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates, or Sundowns, is on the verge of making a breakthrough. Several reports say he is about to accept an offer from Pirates.
“Let’s hope it happens,” Kwayiba said, “I am hoping to play for a big team here and, after that, to go overseas. Let’s just say the ‘Big Three’ — I won’t mention any names, but that’s where I want to go.”
