Thulani Hlatshwayo backs Bafana Bafana’s unity ahead of Fifa World Cup return

Former Bafana Bafana defender Thulani Hlatshwayo believes the national team’s settled core and growing unity could play a key role in their preparations for the upcoming Fifa World Cup, which gets underway in June.

South Africa are set to feature on the tournament’s opening day, where they will face co-hosts Mexico — 16 years after the two nations opened the 2010 World Cup on home soil. It will be Bafana’s first appearance at the global showpiece since that tournament.

Since the arrival of Hugo Broos, the national side has shown steady improvement, becoming more competitive on the continent while also expanding the pool of players available for selection. 

This progress has been matched by the emergence of local talent, which is expected to once again form the backbone of the squad. The tournament, also hosted by the United States and Canada, will offer a major platform for these players.

Hlatshwayo feels the progress made in recent Africa Cup of Nations campaigns will strengthen the team’s unity heading into the World Cup, particularly given the continuity within the squad.

“We have done so well in the last two AFCONs; we were third in the two tournaments ago and finished in the last 16 in the most recent one in Morocco,” Hlatshwayo said on Marawa Sports Worldwide.

“When you look at the squad that we had in the last two tournaments, particularly the most recent one, the squad was changed, and the coach has a pool of players he can choose from.

“Looking at the recent team, there are players who are absent, and I am happy to see Themba Zwane back in the team, and hopefully he stays fit.

“The coach is still looking for a final squad from the current players, those on the bench, and those on standby. As much as we need to have a strong squad going forward, the players also need to be performing well before they travel.”

The former Orlando Pirates defender added that the team’s recent progress gives them a solid platform to begin the tournament strongly against Mexico.

“I do see us starting well against Mexico; we have proven ourselves. This team has been together, and I can see the togetherness from where I am sitting. The core of the team is still there, and they have been doing well.”

Recent squad selections have also sparked discussion, with several notable absentees raising questions over whether they have been dropped or if the coaching staff is experimenting ahead of the upcoming friendlies against Panama.

One of the most notable omissions is Pirates goalkeeper Sipho Chaine, who has enjoyed a strong domestic campaign, conceding the fewest goals in the league so far.

However, Hlatshwayo believes Broos is simply using these fixtures to assess depth, particularly in the goalkeeping department, just incase something happens to Ronwen Williams and he can’t make the trip to North America.

“The players have worked well with coach Hugo. He has never changed his team much; he has only added. The coach has said that he wants to see something, and when looking at previous selections Sipho Chaine has always been there.

“He has been doing well for his team; Renaldo Leaner has been doing well for Sekhukhune United. These are the final preparations to ensure that if something does happen to Ronwen Williams, then we have backup.”

* Obakeng Meletse is Independent Media’s multi-sport writer. For fresh video content, follow our YouTube channel The Clutch