In the recent AFCON qualifiers, Hugo Broos selected Siyabonga Ngezana and Rushwin Dortley as his centre-back pairing. If the partnership continues, will it be able to concede four goals in total?
Ngezana and Dortley's center-back partnership is still in the early stages, with mixed emotions expressed as a pair.
In the back-to-back 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Uganda and South Sudan, the new Kaizer Chiefs player received more praise for his technical ability.
After coming from behind to draw 2-2 with the Cranes, Bafana needed a late winner to beat the Bright Stars 3-2.
Although most of it had to do with Mamelodi Sundowns' goalkeeper Ronwen Williams being injured, South Africa's defence appeared vulnerable to conceding in both games under Broos.
Former Orlando Pirates and Sundowns star Benson Mhlongo believes Broos' men were shaky at the back simply because of individual errors.
In the first game, our goalkeeper [Veli] Mothwa was not on form, and he made a mistake. This time, Ngezana put us on the back foot, conceding the penalty. It's not about team defence, it's about individual mistakes," Mhlongo said on Radio 2000's Game On.
The FCSB defender, in particular, was selected by supporters, and Ngezana and Dortley were given surprise starts ahead of Grant Kekana and Nkosinathi Sibisi.
Whenever someone does well somewhere, wins a cup, it's in the UEFA, and then we want to see them, you know? "I think it's the pressure from fans. Now when you see him, you can tell he's not yet ready. He might be playing next to a senior player because that makes you look good.
"You still have to give him time, he still has his own habits, like he did at Chiefs, where he committed fouls. It's not uncommon for players to commit fouls internationally, and they are punished and they play against the best. I believe he needs to grow on that, and we must give him the opportunity to grow, not kill him, but allow him to grow." The international stage is still new to him," he said.
On 7 and 15 October, Bafana will play back-to-back matches against Republic of Congo in their AFCON qualifiers.
