MTNFootball

Dean Furman

MTNFootball.com rates the South African squad on their performance at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.


GOALKEEPERS
7 - Itumeleng Khune: Overall Khune had an excellent tournament and certainly enhanced his reputation. There were a few blunders, the first goal for Morocco and perhaps the equalizer for Mali in the quarterfinals, but that is also part of his game and why he has not been picked up by a European team yet. But at 25 he is still learning his trade.

Senzo Meyiwa: No rating, did not play enough minutes.

Wayne Sandilands: No rating, did not play enough minutes.

DEFENDERS
5 – Siboniso Gaxa: Gaxs played just one match in the tournament, the quarterfinal against Mali for the suspended Anele Ngcongca. The goal came from his side and he made one terrible back-pass too that saw Samassa have a chance on goal. 

5 - Bongani Khumalo: Skipper Khumalo played in all four matches for Bafana, but will likely be disappointed by his contribution. Caught out of position too often, there were many occasions where he needed to be braver to win the ball. Others had to cover for him far too often.  

6 - Tsepo Masilela: Masilela played three matches from the second game onwards. He was perhaps fortune not to give away a penalty against Morocco, but otherwise did quite well and especially against the Angolans looked good going forward.  

6 - Thabo Matlaba: Played in the opener against Cape Verde and was not seen afterwards. He actually did OK in that game though, and looked one of the better Bafana players on the pitch in what was admittedly an awful game.

5 - Anele Ngcongca: Ngcongca is a star in the Belgian league with Genk, but has failed to really translate that into a Bafana shirt. He did OK at the Nations Cup, but expectation will have been for more from him, especially going forward.

Thabo Nthethe: No rating, did not play enough minutes.

8 - Siyabonga Sangweni: One of the star men for Bafana at the tournament, he scored two vital goals against Angola and Morocco, both of them expertly taken, and defended like a Trojan at times. He comes out of this tournament with his reputation enhanced.

MIDFIELDERS
Lerato Chabangu: No rating, did not play enough minutes.

4 - Kagisho Dikgacoi: Very disappointing from a player who was tipped to anchor the Bafana midfielder, but who was dropped after the first game and barely featured afterwards. He was carrying a few knocks, but was nowhere near the standard expected of him.

8 - Dean Furman: Furman missed the opener against Cape Verde, but ended up as one of the team’s star players after some excellent performances, especially in the quarterfinals against Mali. He missed a penalty in the shoot-out, but before that was superb in breaking up the Mali player. A true work-horse.

7 - Reneilwe Letsholonyane: ‘Yeye’ started two of the four games, but came on as a sub in the other two and was a mixture of good and bad. At times he gets the simple things wrong, but then pulls off a brilliant pass or tackle that he had no right to do. If he could find some consistency he would be some player. He was more good than bad in this tournament though.

7 - May Mahlangu: Mahlangu is growing in stature with every Bafana performance and saved his best for the Mali quarterfinal, though he could not help his side to the win. Always busy and with a good turn of pace, he has an eye for the pass and also gets his shots on target more often than not.  

Oupa Manyisa: No rating. No rating, did not play enough minutes.

7 - Thuso Phala: Phala was the surprise of the tournament perhaps, having only been drafted into the national side in the last few months. But his pace out wide gives Bafana something extra and he is one of the few players that can actually beat a defender. His final ball needs work though. Played in all four matches for the side.

6 - Thulani Serero: Serero was not full fir so was not expected to have a big impact on the tournament. He made a few cameos but did not manage to stamp his authority on the matches.

5 - Siphiwe Tshabalala: Tshabalala’s star with the national side is beginning to wane as his performances become ineffectual. Whether it is a lack of confidence, form or simply his that he cannot keep up with the pace of the game is unknown, but he offers nothing at the moment … bar a good penalty, he scored in the shoot-out against Mali.

STRIKERS
7 - Lehlohonolo Majoro: Majoro scored in the 2-0 win over Angola and was then injured for the Morocco game. His only other appearance came in the Mali match where the team attempted to hit long balls up to him, which does not suit his style. But he did well enough.

6 - Katlego Mphela: No goals for Mphela but he worked hard and created opportunities. He did OK and can be fairly pleased with his contribution.

6 - Bernard Parker: Parker linked up quite well at times but was fairly wasteful with his efforts on goal. He carries with him an ankle injury and perhaps that was affecting his play somewhat.

7 - Tokelo Rantie: Rantie’s pace was a menace for all teams he came up against though his final shot needs some work. Scored in the quarterfinal against Mali when he was in the right place at the right time to tap home. A decent tournament for him.