Legendary ex-goalkeeper Deshi "Al Die Hoekies" Bhaktawer says he wishes to see Veli Mothwa back between the sticks again on Tuesday when Bafana Bafana take on South Sudan in their second 2025 AFCON qualifier.
The AmaZulu FC goalkeeper conceded two quick goals in the second half of the opening qualifier on Friday at Orlando Stadium, allowing the visitors to bounce back from 1-0 down.
Thalente Mbatha's injury-time equalizer managed to rescue a point for South Africa.
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"In the second goal, I think his starting position was a little bit wrong. Not wrong per se, but when the shot came in, he was back-pedaling," Bhaktawer notes, speaking to KickOff.
"That action alone causes you to lose your bearings a bit. Because he seems not to see the ball, and he almost ducked out of the way of the ball.
"So, I just think it was 'on the feet', and the shot came in so unexpectedly, from a long way out, and his feet got all mixed out a little bit.
"His starting position was on the edge of the big box or a little bit forward. Uganda broke away, and obviously, he needed to back up to find his position, but the shot came a lot quicker than he expected.
"I mean, it was such a long way out. I don't think many of us would have expected the shot from that sort of range," he adds.
Bhaktawer says it would be wise for coach Hugo Broos to start with Mothwa again in the next fixture, and reveals why.
"Goalkeepers don't do this deliberately, and we are always going to make mistakes. Good players don't become bad players overnight.
"So, the fact that he is playing at that level means there is talent in Veli Mothwa, and I don't think you get discarded over a mistake. It's from mistakes that we learn.
"So, ja, if I was the coach, I would keep him. Putting him on the bench will not be a good thing. It was a mistake. It happens with goalkeepers all over the world, and it's gonna continue to happen.
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"It all depends on how you handle and treat it. I would speak to him on Monday morning and see what he feels and go on from there.
"If I see that he is lacking a bit of confidence, I can maybe work with him on that side of his game for the next day or two. It should be entirely up to him."