Khanye urges Sithole to play forward after South Africa’s Egypt win

iDiski TV analyst Junior Khanye praised Sphephelo Sithole’s display as South Africa defeated Egypt 1-0 in Cairo on Sunday, while identifying two areas the midfielder must improve.

The friendly victory made it three wins from three since Pitso Mosimane took charge of Bafana Bafana.

Sithole was one of only two starters retained from the side that beat Eritrea 5-0 in a 2027 AFCON Qualifier. The Tondela FC midfielder partnered Durban City’s Brooklyn Poggenpoel in the centre of midfield against the Pharaohs.

Khanye said Sithole showed composure in possession and worked well with Poggenpoel, but believes the 26-year-old can become a more effective player by attacking space and scanning before receiving the ball.

“Well done to Yaya for holding the ball, I mean you do not have to panic every time,” Khanye said on iDiski TV.

“If you panic in that position, the team will never have a good game. Him and Poggenpoel complimented each other. Number one he needs to attack the space with the ball. If there is no one next to you, go with the ball, push it, make someone commit and then play. That will make him a different player from any guy on the street.”

Khanye also stressed the importance of being aware of his options before taking possession.

“Secondly, he needs to scan like Poggenpoel. For instance, the ball he received during the World Cup on the D line. If he had scanned, he’d have played it back to [Ronwen Williams] Ronza and Ronza would have played a long ball,” he said.

“Those are the two things very important. You must know where you are going to pass before you receive it. It will make things easy for him.”

Sithole has also been used at centre-back by other coaches, with Khanye suggesting his physical strength, positional discipline and ability to win the ball explain why he has been trusted in that role.

“Other coaches play him at centre-back because of the physic and he masters the position, he stays in his position, and I think that’s what they noticed in Europe and that he wins balls in that area,” he added.

“But once he wins the balls he plays negatively but in today’s game a round of applause he played very well, I need to be honest. He just needs to play forward.”

Khanye’s full analysis of the international friendly between Egypt and South Africa is available on the official iDiski TV YouTube channel.