snl24.com/kickoff rates the individual performances as Bafana Bafana succumbed to a 1-0 defeat to Ivory Coast in their AFCON Group D opener on Monday.
A lackadaisical effort with only four attempts on goal and two on target saw a blunt Bafana struggled from defence to attack, with Ronwen Williams putting out the only notable performance in the team.
Ronwen Williams – 7*
Was immense between the sticks, leaving his selection ahead of Darren Keet vindicated. Made a massive point-blank save – the major talking point in first half – to keep Bafana in the game. Also pulled off another great save in the second half to deny Nicolas Pepe from a free-kick.
S'fiso Hlanti – 6
Showed good attacking impetus, almost set up the opening goal with a well-placed cross for Hlatshwayo, who headed narrowly wide from close range. Was very effective in his distribution, both from set-pieces and searching balls forward.
Buhle Mkhwanazi - 5
Very shaky. Breached on a number of occasions through the middle and was exposed before the point-blank save by Williams and later before conceding the lone goal of the match.
Thulani Hlatshwayo – 5
The skipper's best action was arguably his coming close to scoring in the first half. His defence was poorly organised, particularly during the goal that saw the entire backline switch off to the threat of Serge Aurier.
Thamsanqa Mkhize – 5
Showed good energy to get up and down the flank but tired in the second half. Key moment was being caught out of position and affording Max Gradel acres of space down the line to pick out Jonathan Kodjia for Ivory Coast's goal.
Dean Furman – 5
Good in cover defence on transition and made some well-time tackles. Got sucked out and often crossed his lines with midfield partner Kamo Mokotjo, playing each other out of position. Not effective in distribution going forward.
Kamohelo Mokotjo – 5
Tried his best to keep the midfield shape and was equally decisive in breaking down some Ivorian attacks. His communication with Furman was lacking and was kept out of the build-up on many occasions.
Lebohang Maboe – 5
Pedestrian in the first half and struggled to avail himself in space. Was left to track back more often than going forward, failing to feed Percy Tau or Lebo Mothiba. Was substituted out in the 75th minute.
Themba Zwane – 5
Popped up in a few good areas and made some promising runs in attack but lacked the final pass. Didn't help much in defensive transitions by failing to drop back and support Mkhize.
Percy Tau – 5
Suffered from a lack of supply. Struggled to get himself into good areas to threaten Sylvain Gbohouo's goal and was tightly marked by the Ivorian defence. Was reduced to a dummy runner for much of the match. Had no shots on goal.
Lebogang Mothiba - 5
Worked hard but to little effect. Often in possession with his back faced to goal and was unable to threaten up front. His combination with Tau seemed to have broken down, and constantly had calls from the referee go against him as he grew frustrated. Had one shot on goal saved by Gbohouo. Was substituted out in the 82nd minute.
Substitutes:
Sibusiso Vilakazi
Replaced Maboe with 15 minutes to go. His fresh legs helped him get around and was able to carry the ball forward with a few good runs. Attempted an acrobatic effort in stoppage time but failed to hit the target. Did not play long enough for a rating.
Lars Veldwijk
Thrown on in the last eight minutes. Created an aerial threat as Bafana restored to route-one football, and almost had an effect when he flicked on a long-ball into the box, which Vilakazi made no use of in stoppage time. Did not play long enough for a rating.