Bafana Bafana, who take on Eswatini in a crucial 2024 Hollywoodbets COSAFA Cup match that will decide their fate in the competition, have come in for some stick for their lukewarm displays so far.
Former Eswatini international Abel "Chaklas" Shongwe has slammed the performance of South Africa together with those of their upcoming opponents in the tournament.
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A win on Tuesday at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium will guarantee Helman Mkhalele's charges, who have played to draws against Mozambique and Botswana so far, a place in the knockout stages.
For their part, Eswatini have also drawn against the same two opponents Bafana have faced thus far.
"Both teams are not performing to the standard everyone was expecting. We were expecting a better performance from South Africa," Shongwe reveals.
"South Africa are struggling, big time. Their players seem to not know each other. Remember the coaches don't get enough time to put together their squads for this tournament.
"It takes time for players to get used to the system that their coaches want to implement. It's not easy.
"But still, South Africa have a good crop of players who always come [up] tops when duty calls, but right now they are not giving everything they've got.
"So, somewhere somehow, Bafana Bafana are failing the country. We will see today because Eswatini will not be a walk in the park," adds the ex-Kaizer Chiefs star.
Shongwe also expressed his misgivings about Sihlangu Semnikati.
"I'm also not happy with them. Players are not comfortable with the ball, they always pump it forward, and they are scared to showcase their talent.
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"I don't know what the coach is saying to them because the 'gqum-gqum' football, for me, doesn't work. Sometimes you need bold players."
Kick-off this afternoon is at 15:00.