Countries are scared of us

Congratulations to coach Hugo Broos, his technical team as well as the players for a wonderful performance against Lesotho at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Friday night.

- Hangingwith Doc

What an unbelievable atmosphere, which was more like what we have experienced in the other stadiums that hosted our Bafana Bafana in the Afcon qualifiers. The supporters also played their part by coming in numbers and ensuring that it was a sold-out affair. Everyone is super proud of our national team, and I really hope the boys keep up the great work they've been doing, remain focused and stay humble. Well done to the team on getting maximum points against Benin away in Ivory Coast as well. These two results will go a long way in cementing our place at the top of Group C.

On Maswanganyi and Modiba

I focused on the final Bafana Bafana squad selection last week and it was unfortunate that Patrick Maswanganyi and Aubrey Modiba had to be withdrawn from the squad due to reasons beyond coach Broos and his technical team's control. Maswanganyi missed Orlando Pirates' last game against Mamelodi Sundowns due to injury, while Modiba's wife gave birth, and the two players were excused from the team. We all heard that the coach was not happy with how the Maswanganyi withdrawal was handled but it was fascinating to hear that Modiba reported to camp on Sunday, after their game against Pirates. He had a serious situation, celebrating the birth of a new family member and I'm told he also had a niggling injury that he picked up in the game earlier that day. After the assessment by the national medical team, he was declared unfit for the game and therefore released and replaced. For him to even consider reporting for camp after receiving the news that his wife had given birth, knowing that he was also injured, that's something to marvel at. That's what being a national soldier is all about. That's true professionalism and I'm lost for words to really capture what happened. In Maswanganyi and Modiba's place, coach Hugo called Ndamulelo Maphangule and Vuyo Letlapa as their respective replacements.

On our World Cup journey