Ntseki: Khoza Has A Bright Future

Bafana Bafana coach Molefi Ntseki has praised his team’s resilience and determination in their 1-1 draw against Algeria in the opening game of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024.

Bafana came from behind to equalize through Thabiso Kutumela’s well-taken goal just before halftime, after Algeria had taken the lead through Abdennour Belhocini’s impressive long-range strike.

“I think over the years, Algeria has always had a football culture that you don’t see changes,” Ntseki said.

“Whether it’s a foreign or local coach who’s coaching a national team, you will see them believing in the philosophy, the style of play, and the culture of the country.”

Ntseki added that his team expected the type of football they saw from Algeria, given their past encounters and the country’s consistent performance in the CAF Champions League.

“I think before this game against Algeria, we expected the type of football we saw today from them,” he said.

“I think when it comes to the national team, we have played a few games against Algeria, and they’ve been giving us this type of football.

“So, you also look in the CAF Champions League – you’ve always had teams from Algeria. These are the teams that are doing well in the Champions League, so you can tell the league in Algeria is on a high level and high standard.”

The former Kaizer Chiefs mentor commended his team for showing respect for their opponents and playing their best game.

“We played with them with respect, to say we are facing a quality team, and we also had to play our best game,” Ntseki said.

“I must say congratulations to the technical team, players, medical team, and support staff for rallying behind the team in our preparations and also coming to our first game.”

The young player of Mamelodi Sundowns, Malibongwe Khoza, won the man of the match award despite being deployed in an unfamiliar role as a number six.

Ntseki started with two veteran defenders, Ramahlwe Mphahlele and Kwanda Mngonyama, in the centre-back pairing. Ntseki explained his decision to play Khoza in the midfield.

“Malibongwe Khoza, when he was playing in the DDC, he was playing as a midfielder, and these are the players I’ve been tracking from the junior ranks and also in the first team after being promoted,” he said.

“In a few games he played as a centre-back but adding numbers in the midfield, and he is a very intelligent player and reads the game very well.”

Ntseki praised Khoza’s performance, particularly his quality pass that led to Bafana Bafana’s equalizing goal.

“I think the goal that came from his pass is a training session type of a goal to have our midfielders overloading the defense,” he said.

“I think for him playing that particular quality pass into Menzi Masuku is something special, and we managed to get a goal from that.”

The Bafana Bafana coach believes Khoza has a bright future ahead of him and could become a key player for the national team.

“I think he is a good young player, and when I predict his future in terms of how he plays, I think he is the future Bafana Bafana player,” Ntseki said.

With this draw, Bafana Bafana are currently sitting in fourth position in Group C. They will look to bounce back and secure a win in their next game against Guinea on Monday at the Mandela National Stadium in Kampala City.

Despite the result, Ntseki remains optimistic about his team’s prospects in the tournament.

“With the performance that we showed today, I think we can always build from this performance going forward to this tournament,” he concluded.