{"id":46334,"date":"2023-03-29T22:47:30","date_gmt":"2023-03-29T22:47:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/south-africa\/all-news\/lepasa-over-foster-bafana-coach-explains-strange-decision-that-paid-off-in-liberia"},"modified":"2023-03-29T22:58:44","modified_gmt":"2023-03-29T22:58:44","slug":"lepasa-over-foster-bafana-coach-explains-strange-decision-that-paid-off-in-liberia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/south-africa\/all-news\/lepasa-over-foster-bafana-coach-explains-strange-decision-that-paid-off-in-liberia","title":{"rendered":"Lepasa over Foster? Bafana coach explains strange decision that paid off in Liberia"},"content":{"rendered":"

Africa-Press – South-Africa. <\/strong><\/span>Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has explained his decision to start Zakhele Lepasa ahead of Lyle Foster in their 2-1 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier victory against Liberia in Monrovia.<\/p>\n

The 70-year-old caught the South African football-loving nation by surprise when he benched Foster in one of five changes in the must-win clash at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Stadium on Tuesday.<\/p>\n

The Burnley striker was a crucial weapon in Bafana’s disappointing 2-2 draw against Liberia in Soweto last Friday, with Foster netting a brace.<\/p>\n

But the 22-year-old Foster, Aubrey Modiba, Luke le Roux, Bongokuhle Hlongwane and Themba Zwane were all replaced as Broos looked to amend his wrongs following the events at Orlando Stadium.<\/p>\n

Broos opted for SuperSport United’s on-loan Orlando Pirates forward, Lepasa, Innocent Maela, Sphephelo Sithole, Mihlali Mayambela and Sydney Mobbie for the return leg in western Africa.<\/p>\n

It was a move that paid off in the end, as goals from Lepasa and Mayambela ensured Bafana’s team management can now begin travelling preparations for Afcon in Ivory Coast next year.<\/p>\n

Speaking to reporters, Broos admits that while he wanted more energy upfront, in terms of pace and pressing, but also added that Foster had indeed been feeling unwell.<\/p>\n

“Yeah, that was not so good Friday. We didn’t have depth in our in our game,” Broos told reporters during his post-match press conference on Tuesday.<\/p>\n

“When we lost the ball, there was no immediately pressing. And I know with Zakhele, he’s a guy who runs 90 minutes, and he scored a fantastic goal.<\/p>\n

“He’s very quick. And he was always there. All game, he was present. So that’s why we changed Zakhele.<\/p>\n

“And also, I have to say that Lyle didn’t feel well this morning. We wouldn’t take a risk because we knew that we needed players who were 100%. And, again, I think the decision was right.”<\/p>\n

Bafana, who have accumulated five points in Group K, book their place in Afcon despite a final matchday in June against the group’s leaders, Morocco.<\/p>\n

The Atlas Lions (6 points) also qualified for the Nations Cup after their victories against Bafana and Liberia last year.<\/p>\n

South Africa advanced ahead of Liberia because they now have superior points in head-to-head matches among tied teams, according to CAF’s Regulations Article 14.<\/p>\n

The group consists of three teams: Morocco, Liberia and South Africa. Zimbabwe were initially part of the group but were banned from qualifying for the tournament after their government’s interference in the sport’s administration.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Broos and his Bafana charges are expected back in the country on Wednesday evening.<\/p>\n

For More News And Analysis About South-Africa<\/a> Follow Africa-Press<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Africa-Press – South-Africa. Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has explained his decision to start Zakhele Lepasa ahead of Lyle Foster in their 2-1 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier victory against Liberia in Monrovia. The 70-year-old caught the South African football-loving nation by surprise when he benched Foster in one of five changes in the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":84,"featured_media":46332,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2,17],"tags":[4885,4886,274,315,781,4884,4883,326,275,4882],"class_list":["post-46334","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-all-news","category-sport","tag-afcon-2023","tag-afcon-qualiers","tag-africa-press","tag-africa-press-south-africa","tag-bafana-bafana","tag-liberia","tag-lyle-foster","tag-soccer","tag-south-africa-2","tag-zakhele-lepasa"],"yoast_head":"\nLepasa over Foster? 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