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Eddie Chikamhi
Senior Sports Reporter
BAFANA BAFANA coach, Hugo Broos, says he still expects a tough battle against the Warriors in their opening 2022 World Cup qualifier despite the hosts missing some of their key players.

The two rivals clash in the latest Battle of Limpopo showdown, at the National Sports Stadium at 3pm tomorrow..

The Warriors will miss some influential players, notably midfielder Marvelous Nakamba, centreback Teenage Hadebe and rightback Tendayi Darikwa.

They were all barred from travelling home, because of Covid-19 protocols, at their bases.

The setback came after Zimbabwe dropped two players, Knox Mutizwa and Butholezwe Ncube, who tested positive for Covid-19.

Bafana Bafana also suffered a setback, after Thibang Phete and Thabiso Kutumela tested positive for Covid-19 just before departure to Harare.

Defender Mothobi Mvala was injured.

Broos was still hoping for some positive news on Mvala, who is set for a late fitness test.

Phete, who turns out for Portuguese side Os Belenenses, was one of the five foreign-based players, in the Bafana Bafana squad.

“Coach Hugo Broos will be without Thibang Phete and Thabiso Kutumela for the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers against Zimbabwe.

“Both players have been isolated after testing positive for covid-19,” said SAFA in a statement.

Broos, who will take charge of his first competitive match, in charge of South Africa, insists his charges will still have a mountain to climb.

The Belgian coach won the AFCON title, when he was coach of the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon, in 2017.

“They’re difficult to beat because they know us,’’ Broos said. “A lot of the players play in South Africa and now we play against them (and) that is not going to be easy.

“But, we have our plan and they have theirs, we’re going to fight.’’

Broos was appointed to replace Molefi Ntseki, following a failed campaign in the 2021 AFCON qualifiers.

He believes his players have responded positively to his philosophy.

“We have to be ready, we have no choice. There were a few concerns that I had at Tuesday’s training but by the afternoon session the team gave me what I needed and that was quality.

“I’m happy with the way things are going,” said Broos.

Bafana Bafana were seen off by South Africa Football Association president, Danny Jordan, who reminded them to carry the nation’s flag with honour.

“The coach has all our support. We have hope again and we have newness in a team, in terms of staff, and new when I speak of the players, some of them are very young and already playing international football,” said Jordaan.

Bafana Bafana will be led by veteran goalkeeper, Ronwen Williams, with their star player, Percy Tau, as vice-captain.

Broos has faced criticism back home, for his team selection, which was based largely on the teams’ participation at the recent COSAFA Cup.

The Belgian coach has been tasked to rebuild a new side which should qualify for the 2023 AFCON finals and the 2026 World Cup finals.

Bafana Bafana legend, Benni McCarthy, feels the current squad is too lightweight to mount a successful challenge for a place at the World Cup.

“We select players who are not even playing at club level. Some have not kicked a ball for their teams this season but they are selected to the national team and we expect to be successful,’’ he told the South African Football Journalists Association.

“Other national teams have local players who play week-in week-out, they don’t sit on the bench.”

Bafana Bafana Squad

Goalkeepers: Ronwen Williams (Supersport United), Veli Mothwa (AmaZulu), Bruce Bvuma (Kaizer Chiefs).

Defenders: Sydney Mobbie (Mamelodi Sundowns), Rushine De Reuck (Mamelodi Sundowns), Thapelo Morena (Mamelodi Sundowns), Siyanda Xulu (Hapoel Tel Aviv, Israel), Njabulo Ngcobo, Thabani Dube (Kaizer Chiefs), Sibusiso Mabiliso (Kaizer Chiefs).

Midfielders: Sipho Mbule (Supersport United), Teboho Mokoena (Supersport United), Mothobi Mvala (Mamelodi Sundowns), Yusuf Maart (Sekhukhune FC), Ethan Brooks (TS Galaxy), Njabulo Blom (Kaizer Chiefs).

Strikers: Bongokuhle Hlongwane (Maritzburg United), Gift Links (Aarhus GF, Denmark), Evidence Makgopa (Baroka FC), Victor Letsoalo (Bloemfontein Celtics), Percy Tau (Al Ahly, Egypt), Luther Singh (F.C Copenhagen, Denmark).