'Speed is the key': Roger De Sa calls for Bafana Bafana frontline shake-up

Former Bafana Bafana goalkeeper Roger De Sa says the team may need to consider a different approach in their striking department after a slightly ineffective AFCON campaign from their talismans.

Bafana crashed out of the continental showpiece in the last 16 after losing 2–1 to Cameroon on Sunday in Rabat. Hugo Broos’ men were their own worst enemies up front in that game, squandering three clear-cut chances to take the lead in the first 20 minutes. That came back to haunt them, resulting in the Indomitable Lions going 2–0 up on the stroke of half-time and early in the second half.

Evidence Makgopa, having come on as a substitute, scored the consolation goal with two minutes remaining in regulation time. His goal meant there were three goals and two assists between him and fellow striker Lyle Foster in the tournament. While Foster will be slightly pleased with his two-goal and two-assist contribution, he and Makgopa could have done better, especially given the number of chances Bafana created throughout the tournament.

De Sa, who has coached at the highest level, including at the World Cup, and sometimes doubles up as an analyst, revealed why Broos may have opted for the duo as his marksmen.

“It’s clear that the ones we took to AFCON are the best that we have, unless we find something like a miracle, which is not going to happen,” De Sa said. “The ones we have are the best that we have, and I am sure the technical staff at Bafana have looked high and low, under every carpet and bush.”

While De Sa backs Broos’ decision, he believes it may be time to change the approach ahead of the Fifa World Cup in June, as Foster and Makgopa do not offer much variation. They are box-to-box strikers who hold up play for their teammates and wait to be fed in the penalty area.

“From my humble opinion, I would have a different type of striker,” De Sa said. “Maybe a quick one — he can be shorter or smaller — but someone who’s going to be different from what we have.

"Apart from that, I don’t know what we’ve got in the squad. We’ve got the two strikers there, and they are pretty similar in a lot of ways. So we need speed and versatility. Speed is something that can catch anyone out.”

Enter Iqraam Rayners. The Mamelodi Sundowns striker ticks most of the boxes De Sa is speaking about, which is why his omission from the final squad caught some members of the football fraternity by surprise. When Broos explained his decision to place Rayners on standby and select Elias Mokwana ahead of him, he said the latter had speed and could play as a striker.

But that wasn’t to be. Instead, it was Tshepang Moremi whose speed threatened the opposition’s defence, as he made two goal contributions from two starts and cameo appearances. De Sa believes someone like Moremi should be given more game time during Bafana’s preparations for the global showpiece, as that would expand the team’s attacking options.

“Speed is going to hurt them (Bafana’s group-stage opponents at the World Cup),” De Sa said. “The guy came on and did well. I think the next window will be the time for the national team to dot the i’s and cross the t’s. Maybe the kid (Moremi) you mentioned — maybe it’s time to give him a chance to start. But I am sure the coach knows all that.

“But it obviously starts at club level. They need to get the structure right there, ensure they do it properly, and then move it to the national team.”