#1Mbule stunner lights up subdued Bafana win over weakened Ghana in Afcon warmup

It was not the performance Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos was looking for, but he will be pleased with the result that wrapped up the home leg of his team’s Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) preparations. South Africa were not at their dominating and convincing best in their 1-0 win over an under-strength Ghana, who provided the last competitive action for the team at Dobsonville Stadium on Tuesday before Afcon in Morocco next week. Broos indicated during the week he was not happy with some technical things he saw at training.

After an underwhelming performance, he is going to demand more from his players in the build-up to their tournament opener against Angola in Marrakesh on Monday. For almost an hour, before crowd favourite and playmaker Sipho Mbule scored a long-range pile driver for the 57th-minute winner, Bafana were held by unfancied Ghana in front of a lively Soweto crowd. With one eye on the Afcon opener next week, Broos put some of his key players including goalkeeper and captain Ronwen Williams, defenders Khuliso Mudau and Mbekezeli Mbokazi, midfielder Teboho Mokoena and attacker Oswin Appollis on the bench.

Sipho Mbule РThe Master Chef! 🇿🇦❤️⚽️🔥🔥🔥Ba buang ba bue!Bafana Bafana, South Africa believes! ✨#BafanaBafana#BafanaPride[Video credit: SABC Sport]pic.twitter.com/Uek9DN2tyy Among regular players who got a run in the starting line-up were Nkosinathi Sibisi, Aubrey Modiba, Thalente Mbatha, Mbule, Mohau Nkota and Evidence Makgopa.

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Broos kept his promise to give rare opportunities to goalkeeper Ricardo Goss, Khulumane Ndamane, Thabang Matuludi and Tshepang Moremi in the starting line-up. Some might be called on during what 2024 bronze medalists Bafana hope will be a deep Afcon campaign. Th coach also had Siyabonga Ngezana, Samukele Kabini, Relebohile Mofokeng and Elias Mokwana on the bench to offer fresh legs and options in the second half.

‚öΩÔ∏è ùïÄ‚ÑïùïãùÑù‚Ñïùî∏ùïãùïÄùïÜ‚Ñïùî∏ùïÉ ùîΩ‚ÑùùïÄùÑïùîªùïÉùïê ‚öΩÔ∏èüéôÔ∏è Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos is not impressed by his team’s performance against Ghana!üáøüᶠ1‚É£‚ûñ0‚É£ üá¨üá≠üö® LIVEüì∫ SABC 2üåêhttps://t.co/26PdrPrnVE#SABCSportFootballpic.twitter.com/blRGY1WfsZ A fringe player who had a strong game was Moremi. The Orlando Pirates attacker was a constant thorn in the side of Ghana and he might get a look in when Broos announces his match day squad for the Angola opener. After tentative opening minutes, the first real chance went for Bafana with Mbule coming close when his pinpoint header from a corner taken by Nkota went just wide of the target.

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