Former Kaizer Chiefs assistant coach Farouk Khan has called for Relebohile Mofokeng to start for Bafana Bafana ahead of their last group match against Zimbabwe.
Having started their Africa Cup of Nations with a win against Angola, Bafana were beaten 1-0 by Egypt on Friday.
A first-half penalty gave the North Africans a win after Mohamed Salah converted from the spot.
Speaking on SoccerBeat, Khan said Bafana were more defensive coming into the match.
Mofokeng makes AFCON debut but Bafana suffer defeat
“As South Africans, we prefer to play against ball-playing teams; we enjoy playing against teams, and that’s where we can use our skills and speed to match them pound for pound,” he said.
“What surprised me today is the fact that we didn’t go with skill in the midfield, we went with players who can be more defensive in their nature and obviously, from time to time, looked to play us on the front foot which they couldn’t do in the first half.”
Khan felt Bafana head coach Hugo Broos should have introduced Mofokeng at the start of the second half.
“Let’s go to the second half. We are a goal down, but they are also a man down. What do we do now?
We were supposed to go with a three-man defence, form your five men midfield with two upfront. Don’t change the front too much, Appollis and Moremi could still give us something with the likes of Foster. Bring in Rele. Now you have a diamond to dissect the stubborn defence,” the ex-Chiefs coach added.
Former Bafana Bafana left-back Tsepo Masilela said Mofokeng should start for Bafana against Zimbabwe on Monday.
“I would try to bring in a Rele and Makgopa as a starter. Those are the changes I will make for the next game. Maybe play Mokoena and Mbula as an 8,” Masilela added.
Khan shared the retired left-back sentiments, saying the 21-year-old winger should start on the left for Bafana.
