Phala backs Bafana’s creative options despite Mofokeng absence

Former Bafana Bafana winger Thuso Phala believes South Africa have enough attacking playmakers to cope when Relebohile Mofokeng is unavailable, despite concerns over the team’s depth in the number 10 position.

Mofokeng provided much of Bafana’s creativity in their back-to-back 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against Guinea and Eritrea. South Africa won those matches 2-1 and 5-0 respectively.

Head coach Pitso Mosimane made wholesale changes for the international friendly against Egypt, with Mofokeng rested. Bafana secured a 1-0 victory over The Pharaohs, but their lack of attacking spark led to questions about the alternatives available in the playmaker role.

Those concerns have been heightened by the fact that Themba Zwane is now 37.

Phala, however, believes the match in Egypt was not the right occasion to assess whether South Africa have sufficient competition for the position.

“This is part of football. I don’t think coach Pitso has planned solely on Rele. He’s our best player and he’s our number 10 now, but we have to have a plan when he’s not there,” Phala said on the omaniaudioafrica YouTube Channel.

“I think with the creative players that we have, who came on and played against Egypt, even though they did not create as many chances, it was a different game.

“When you go to Egypt, you go there with a new squad, the mentality was different,” added the former SuperSport United winger.

Phala says alternatives deserve time

Phala said the players used in Mofokeng’s absence should not be judged too harshly, given the difficulty of playing away from home against Egypt.

“So you can’t judge that those boys were not creating much because Rele was not there,” he said. “What’s important for coach Pitso is the result. He must also try other players.”

The former winger identified six players who could operate in the number 10 role when Mofokeng is unavailable.

“There’s some games Rele won’t be available. We’ve got Shandre Campbell, we’ve got Luther Singh, we’ve got Cassius Mailula, we’ve got Themba Zwane, Puso Dithejane, Oswin Appollis, so I’ve counted six. They are all number 10s.”

Phala also backed Appollis to adapt if Mosimane opts to use the Orlando Pirates player centrally.

He said the 10 role suited Appollis naturally because he already operates in positions inside the pitch for his club.

“If Mosimane decides to play Appollis in the 10 role, I don’t think he’s going to struggle,” Phala said. “He’s naturally a player who can play inside. That’s how he plays at Pirates; he can play at that number 10 position.”