Bafana Bafana’s Broos shines light on Mohau Nkota

Bafana Bafana’s 3–1 win over Zambia wasn’t a classic, but it did underline one clear fact: Mohau Nkota is fast becoming impossible for Hugo Broos to ignore.

South Africa began with a strong starting XI at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, taking control through goals from Oswin Appollis and Sphephelo Sithole.

But it was after halftime, when Broos made several changes to test his depth, that the game shifted in an unexpected direction.

MOHAU NKOTA CONTINUES WITH BAFANA BAFANA IMPACT

Nkota, introduced for the second half, immediately injected energy into a contest. His direct running, speed and willingness to take risks gave Mzansi the spark they had lacked earlier. Within minutes, he produced a goal and an assist.

“I think Mohau had a very good game,” Broos said as quoted by Kick Off. “He was very aggressive, quick, also dangerous, and when I said we didn’t do that enough today, we were a little bit soft.”

Bafana Bafana vs Rwanda — *Bafana Bafana players Sipho Mbule, Mohau Nkota and Teboho Mokoena celebrate a goal against Nigeria at the Toyota Stadium in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. Image: SAFA*

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The Belgian admitted that Bafana Bafana struggled with rhythm, partly because of the number of substitutions made after halftime.

“The tempo of the game was not high, in certain moments was not high enough. But ok that can happen and it happened today and it happened once,’ the Bafana Bafana mentor added.

Nkota’s cameo ensured Bafana Bafana finished the match with momentum, and more importantly, gave Broos another attacking option to seriously consider ahead of AFCON 2025.