Try GOLD - Free
Bafana's Broos weighs centre-back options
Cape Times
|December 24, 2025
IT has become increasingly difficult to question the selection criteria of Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos, as time and again he proves his detractors wrong.
Broos is refreshingly honest, often the first to admit when his players are either at their best or have had an off day. He was back at it at Stade de Marrakech after the 2-1 win over Angola in their AFCON opener, saying his players "went to sleep" in the first half.
While the team could have done better to avert the situation, it was at centre-back where they largely struggled defensively. The new pairing of Siyabonga Ngezana and Mbekezeli Mbokazi failed to show chemistry and fluidity. With Bafana set to face Egypt in a top-of-the-table clash at Stade d'Agadir on Friday, all eyes will be on Broos to see whether he partners Mbokazi with someone else.
Below, we explore the options Broos has should he decide to drop Ngezana, who is making his return to the national team after some time away.
Nkosinathi Sibisi & Mbekezeli Mbokazi
This story is from the December 24, 2025 edition of Cape Times.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 10,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM Cape Times
Cape Times
Salah targets glory as Luca Zidane faces ultimate test
NIGERIAN sharpshooters Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman will provide a stern test for the flawless record of Algeria goalkeeper Luca Zidane — son of French football icon Zinedine Zidane — in the Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinals in Morocco.
3 mins
January 09, 2026
Cape Times
Cape Town's alcohol confiscations surge during festive season
AFTER a marked downturn over the peak festive season in 2024, alcohol confiscations ramped up this past December with the City of Cape Town's Law Enforcement Liquor Pound taking receipt of 12 595 units of alcohol.
1 mins
January 09, 2026
Cape Times
Broos issues blunt reality check after Bafana’s AFCON exit
IN THE aftermath of Bafana Bafana’s disappointing 2-0 defeat to Cameroon in the Round of 16, the spotlight has fallen on the effectiveness of the national player development programme.
2 mins
January 09, 2026
Cape Times
Attempted coups call for counter-force
Misgovernance tempts military to seize opportunities
4 mins
January 09, 2026
Cape Times
Iran police officer killed in stabbing
AN IRANIAN police officer was killed in a stabbing during unrest near the capital, local media reported yesterday, as protests in the country entered a 12th day.
1 mins
January 09, 2026
Cape Times
Future of KZN government now in National Freedom Party's hands
THE National Freedom Party (NFP) top brass were expected to meet last night to chart a way forward having officially withdrawn from the KwaZulu-Natal Government of Provincial Unity (GPU).
1 mins
January 09, 2026
Cape Times
US asserts control over Venezuela's oil sales
US PRESIDENT Donald Trump's administration said this week it will dictate decisions to Venezuela's interim leaders and control the country's oil sales \"indefinitely\" after toppling Nicolas Maduro.
2 mins
January 09, 2026
Cape Times
Factory activity ends 2025 in deep contraction as PMI plunges further
S&P Global reports that December saw the strongest downturn in operating conditions
2 mins
January 09, 2026
Cape Times
Battle over ANC-branded bakkie now part of police probe
FORMER ANC provincial secretary Nelville Delport has denied that he is still in possession of one of the party's branded bakkies after his former colleagues lodged a criminal complaint against him.
1 mins
January 09, 2026
Cape Times
SACP warns US against threats to Venezuela, Cuba and Colombia
THE SACP has accused the US of leading efforts to destabilise the region following the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores, and threats to Cuba and Colombia.
2 mins
January 09, 2026
Listen
Translate
Change font size
