Orlando Pirates defender Nkosinathi Sibisi will assume the leadership role as Bafana Bafana captain when the Hugo Broos-coached side takes on Mozambique and Tanzania in international friendly matches.
On Friday, Bafana will face Tanzania at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane, Limpopo.
Next Tuesday, it will be Mozambique’s turn to face off against Bafana at the same venue. Both matches will kick off at 7.30pm.
Addressing the media at Protea The Ranch Hotel outside Polokwane, Broos disclosed that Sibisi will captain the team for the two friendly matches in the absence of Ronwen Williams.
Williams and his Mamelodi Sundowns teammates are preparing for the Club World Cup in the US from June 14 to July 13.
Given the absence of most of his key players, particularly those from Sundowns, Broos emphasised the importance of testing new players.
Broos set to test new players
“While we are expected to win both matches, performance is the most important thing. We want to win both matches, and we will do everything to win them,” said Broos.
“But more importantly, it is the performance of the players and certainly the new players. I won’t pressure them; they must play their game, and then we’ll assess and plan.”
Although both teams are not the strongest, according to Broos, certainly they are not the weakest on the continent.
“The fact that both Mozambique and Tanzania were at the Afcon [Africa Cup of Nations] last year speaks volumes. Even Mozambique is in a good space to go to the World Cup next year,” said the 72-year-old Belgian mentor.
Broos said two Bafana players, Luke le Roux and Samukele Kabini, who are based in Sweden and Norway, respectively, are not in camp yet.
He did, however, confirm that they should arrive in the nation on June 3 in time for Friday’s match against Tanzania.
Tickets for both matches are available at Ticketpro for R70 for adults and R40 for children under 12 years.
