Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has defended goalkeeper Veli Mothwa, who made a costly error during the team’s 2-2 draw against Uganda in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers at Orlando Stadium on Monday.

Bafana’s 17 years of being unbeaten at home in the AFCON qualifiers was under threat until Thalente Mbatha popped up in the last minute to score an equaliser.  

Bafana Bafana had scored first through Lyle Foster in the first half where they were in ascendancy, but Uganda spun the game around in the second half by scoring two-quick fire goals, with Mothwa spilling the ball in his hands for the second goal scored by Rogers Mato.  

Broos was without Ronwen Williams in goals as his captain is out injured and many were baffled when Mothwa was selected ahead of Sipho Chaine, who has been in good form for Orlando Pirates, while Mothwa has yet to play for his club.   

“This is something you can say now. Maybe I should have done that, maybe I should have done that, but you never know,” Broos told SABCSport after the game. 

“Maybe if he starts with the team he had in the second half, the question would have been why didn’t we play with the guys who played normal?  

“But I’m just really happy with the reaction of the players when it was 2-1. So, 2-2 draw it is better than a defeat.”  

Broos said he was concerned before the game that his boys will not be sharp as some players, along with Mothwa, are yet to play for their clubs this season as the Betway Premiership will kick off on the 14 September.   

“What went wrong, it was something I was afraid of – Uganda was going to be sharper than we are,” he said. 

“Some players don’t have enough competitive games and you could see that in the second half. 

“We missed that power in duels and we gave two goals away, but we got a draw in the 90 minutes. 

“What we showed after it was 2-1, it is what I wanted to see and I’m happy that we played the draw. I’m a bit disappointed because I would have liked to win this game.”  

Broos also explained why he took off Oswin Appollis who was dangerous for Bafana Bafana in the game in the first half, but he again he said the reason he took him off is because he lacks match fitness. 

“He was dangerous in the first half, but you can see it is a guy who hasn’t played much in the last weeks,” explained Broos.  

“The more the game is going on, the less power and the energy this guy had and that’s why we changed the image of the game and we pushed them back. But I’m happy with a draw.”  

Bafana next visit South Sudan on Monday and Broos said “there is no excuse” not to win the match even though it will be played on astroturf.  

“On the synthetic field, it won’t be easy and we have to show character and the motivation like what we showed after the 2-1. I think we have to win in South Sudan,” he said.