By Vincent Sitsula

The South Africans will play their two 2025 Africa Cup of Nations against Uganda and South Sudan without their inspirational captain Ronwen Williams, who led the team to third place finish at the Afcon in Ivory Coast early this year.

Williams will sit out the two matches against Uganda and South Sudan due to an injury. He played a sterling role when Bafana finished third place at Afcon for the first time since 2000.

“I decided to take Themba, he has the respect of the group and the technical staff so I think he is the right man, and I hope he will give us victories as a good example like Ronwen for the last two years, we were successful so we hope he will give us the needed victory,” Broos explains.

Bafana beat Uganda 3-2 at home three years ago. Broos is expecting a competitive tough encounter against the physical and hard-running Uganda.

“Uganda is not the most quality team but it’s a tough team. They are dedicated and they are runners which means it will be a tough game.”

Zwane has been a revelation for the national team but has struggled to replicate his form at club level in the last few months. And he explained why he always flourishes for the national team.

“It’s the free role that I am playing in the national team. It helps me to connect with the strikers and I am comfortable when I am at the team and that helps me to do well in the national team.”

Meanwhile, Williams became the first South African to be nominated at the prestigious Ballon D’or Awards for the Yashin Trophy, and Broos believes he has what it takes to win it.

“I think you can only say that he deserves it. I looked at who is in the list but for me he has a chance to win but he is only a South African and sometimes they are looking for a bigger name but if you look at the performances, he deserves it and I am proud.”

Bafana will face Uganda at the Orlando Stadium on Friday at 6pm, and then travel to South Sudan a few days later.

--SABC--