Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos shed light on his strategic choice to exclude Siyanda Xulu and Thapelo Maseko, opting instead for Grant Kekana and Thapelo Morena in the starting lineup.
The two formed part of a Mamelodi Sundowns back five alongside goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, Khuliso Mudau, and Aubrey Modiba, playing a pivotal role in the team's remarkable 4-0 victory over Namibia.
This impressive performance served as a strong response following Bafana's initial setback, a 2-0 defeat to Mali in their opening match, and significantly altered the Group E dynamics in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.