Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos had a glowing review for an Orlando Pirates star, on the back of the senior national team's recent two friendly matches against Tanzania and Mozambique.
Broos’ charges settled for a draw against Tanzania, before dishing out a 2-0 slapping to neighbours Mozambique.
In the absence of Mamelodi Sundowns players, who are in the USA for the FIFA Club World Cup, including national team captain Ronwen Williams, Broos had elected Nkosinathi Sibisi as one of two captains alongside Fawaaz Basadien.
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Sibisi did not feature in the first match (against Tanzania) as the Belgian looked to give the non-regulars a chance, but was back in action for the second encounter, partnering club teammate Mbekezeli Mbokazi in the heart of defence.
Other regulars included Nyiko Mobbie, Sipho Chaine, Fawaaz Basadien, Thalente Mbatha, Oswin Appollis, Ricardo Goss, and Relebohile Mofokeng.
Broos spoke brightly of not only Sibisi's captaincy, but also the defender's professionalism.
"Leadership is not about always having a big mouth," said Broos when asked about leadership in the national team.
"Sometimes you have captains who talk a lot, but those two, Ronwen and Sibisi, they are not guys who talk a lot. But just the way they are there gives them respect from everybody.
"Ronwen is Ronwen, but maybe nobody saw a captain in Sibisi. He’s been with us from the first day I’ve been here. I know this guy, and there’s no better professional than him.
"And because he’s like that and the attitude he has, he has respect from his players.
"You see that. You don’t hear him [talking too much]. Ask him, he was here with us for 10 days, you can see [his presence as a captain].
"It was the right choice to make him the captain, and it was because we wanted to have two teams since he didn’t play on Friday.
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"I wanted to play him because of Mbokazi, a 19-year-old in his first [game for Bafana]. He felt good because Sibisi was there. So, again, I made the right choice."
Bafana return to action in September when they take on neighbours Lesotho and Nigeria in 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Gallo Images/Philip Maeta
