Ahead of Bafana Bafana's must-win game against Namibia in the Africa Cup of Nations, SuperSport United head coach Gavin Hunt has advised Hugo Broos on how to handle Peter Shalulile and Deon Hotto.
Bafana were good on the ball against Mali in the first stanza but they got exposed when they had to defend in one-on-ones, in the second stanza as the Eagles used their physicality and pace to get past centre-backs Mothobi Mvala and Siyanda Xulu.
There are concerns that South Africa's defence will have a big challenge against the pace of the Brave Warriors, whose attack is spearheaded by Mamelodi Sundowns striker Shalulile and Orlando Pirates' Hotto.
Hotto's pace in particular, in the unfamiliar role on the right wing, gave Tunisia problems and his late run saw him score a historic goal in the last minute to hand the Brave Warriors their first-ever win at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Hunt, who has come up against Shalulile over the years in the PSL as an opposition coach and has coached Hotto at Bidvest Wits, says if Bafana are to contain Namibia's two dangermen, they need to play with three centre-backs.
"This is just me, I would play with a back-three against Shalulile and Hotto and it will give us a little bit of cover there with their pace," Hunt said on This Is Football Africa Podcast.
"I mean they are as quick as lightning and we're not blessed with the most pace, I'd certainly have another centre-back and let Aubrey (Modiba) and (Khuliso) Mudau play down the sides.
"It will give us more penetration upfront as well. I just feel that Evidence (Makgopa) boy needs a little (support). There was not once I saw a ten behind Evidence you know. We need people behind, you can't play behind your striker all day. I think if we play with a back-three, it will give us a chance to play with another striker, (Thapelo) Morena upfront next to Evidence, he will run off at the back of him," he added.
Sundowns winger Thapelo Maseko could be one of the players who may be sacrificed after he was criticised for not breaking lines or running behind the defence against Mali.
Bafana are at the bottom of Group E, as they trail the Brave Warriors and Mali by three points.