Scoring goals
Coach Hugo Broos will be satisfied with the three goals scored, which took the team’s tally to five in the pool stages. Two goals each for Lyle Foster and Oswin Appollis in the group phase is pleasing and they do look the chief source of goals, while there was also a first international strike for Tshepang Moremi after he was denied by the offside flag against Angola in the opening game. When they keep the ball on the floor, they can play some lovely football.
They are too open
Conversely, a major concern for Broos will be just how open South Africa were at the back. Zimbabwe should have scored more goals, but some poor finishing and several fine saves from Ronwen Williams denied them. Mbekezeli Mbokazi was not at his best and Zimbabwe were able to find spaces between and behind the defence. Bafana will need to tighten up considerably or their stay in the knockout rounds will be brief.
Mokoena can be key
Teboho Mokoena was the star of the show when South Africa finished third two years ago but has looked a shadow of that player at this tournament. He has been unable to stamp his authority on matches and at times the game has passed him by in midfield. There are still more gears he can go through, and he will need to do so in the knockout rounds.
Bench options
One thing that has been clear is that Broos does not have a whole lot of options on the bench to change the way the team is playing. Evidence Makgopa is a straight swap for Foster, Mohau Nkota for Moremi or Appollis, and Bathusi Aubaas and Thalente Mbatha for Yaya Sithole. Perhaps the one x-factor player is Relebohile Mofokeng, who has not been in the best form since returning from injury this season and has only played a handful of minutes for Bafana at this tournament. But he is someone who can come off the bench and create something from nothing, and also has a knack for scoring important goals.
Who comes next?
Bafana know they will face the second-placed team in Group F, but just who that will be will only be decided on Wednesday. At present it is Cameroon, but South Africa will hope they are beaten by Mozambique in their final group game and drop to third, as long as Ivory Coast defeat already eliminated Gabon. However, it could be any of those teams bar the latter. The match will be played at the Al Medina Stadium in the capital, Rabat, on Sunday. The winner will likely face Morocco in the quarter-finals, provided the hosts win Group A.
