Broos’ rebuild delivers Bafana depth not seen in decades

For years, the narrative around Bafana Bafana has been depressingly familiar: a lack of depth, an overreliance on a handful of stars, and a squad stretched thin whenever injuries or suspensions hit. But Friday night in Bloemfontein felt different.

South Africa’s 3-0 win over Lesotho in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers was more than just another step towards qualification. 

It was a show of depth and resilience not seen from Bafana in years, and testament to the steady work of head coach Hugo Broos.

The goals from Mohau Nkota, Lyle Forster and Oswin Appollis grabbed the headlines, but the real story was in how comfortably South Africa coped without a raft of their usual stalwarts.

No Themba Zwane! No Percy Tau! No Patrick Maswanganyi. In defence, no Khuliso Mudau, Grant Kekana, Nkosinathi Sibisi or Siyanda Xulu. 

In years gone by, that kind of absentee list would have spelled disaster. Instead, this Bafana side looked organised, confident, and ruthless.

The makeshift central defensive pairing of Mbekezeli Mbokazi and Thabo Moloisane kept a clean sheet with minimal fuss. 

Zuko Mdunyelwa, thrown in early to replace the injured Sydney Mobbie, played with the composure of a seasoned right back, plugging a gap usually filled by Mudau.

In midfield, Sipho Mbule finally delivered on his long-discussed potential. Making his Bafana debut, he looked assured, creative, and carried much of the attacking burden in the absence of Zwane and company. His ability to dictate play was central to Bafana’s dominance.

This is where Broos’ philosophy comes into focus. Since arriving, the Belgian coach has not only instilled discipline and structure but has broadened the pool of trusted players. 

He has handed opportunities to those on the fringes and in doing so, created real competition for places.

For the first time in years, South Africa can make wholesale changes and still look like a team with a plan. 

There is now a group of 30 or more players who can be called upon, rather than just 14 or 15 who carry the load. 

That depth is what separates successful national teams from inconsistent ones.

Friday’s win was a case study in that evolution. Bafana were able to rest and replace stars yet still maintain intensity and identity. 

For a side chasing its first World Cup qualification since 2002, that is a massive psychological and tactical breakthrough.

Broos has often said that qualifying is about more than just the eleven on the pitch. It is about the squad, the depth, and the ability to adapt. Against Lesotho, his players proved him right.

With Nigeria looming on Tuesday, tougher tests await. But if this was an audition for Bafana’s next generation, they passed with flying colours. 

And perhaps for the first time in two decades, South Africa can look beyond just their first-choice XI and believe in the strength of the squad as a whole.