HERMAN GIBBS
Bafana Bafana are the highest-ranked Group K team and, despite Friday's draw in Orlando, they are strong favourites to win their remaining group, starting with their clash against South Sudan, in the capital city of Juba, on Tuesday.
As national coach Hugo Broos plots the way forward, his recovery plan will rest heavily on the shoulders of three key players. They are Teboho Mokoena, Lyle Foster and Sipho Chaine.
Teboho Mokoena
Broos will be relying on Mokoena’s midfield prowess to spearhead Bafana Bafana's recovery to claim a win instead of dropping more points on Juba Stadium’s artificial pitch.
Mokoena’s class has made him a transfer target for the past few months and he’s been on the radar of European and Middle East clubs. The wonder strikes of the Uganda duo Denis Omeda and Rogers Mato were like bolts out of the blue, but those have been Mokoena’s trademark shots for the past few seasons.
He did try his luck with a long-range strike but it veered off target. Underfoot conditions in Juba will be strange but Mokoena needs to take control in the side’s engine room.
Lyle Foster
He has been a massive acquisition and he underlined his class when he latched on to a through ball from Khuliso Mudau and left the chasing defenders in his slipstream.
He produced an exquisite touch by slipping the ball under Uganda’s goalkeeper, Isima Watenga. He had further half-chances to score but did not capitalise but very likely he’ll be more at home in this team over time.
He has the experience to lead from the front and he can become a trump card in both the Afcon and World Cup qualifying campaigns. The Soweto-born Foster may produce a career-boosting performance in Juba at a time when a Premiership club is looking to acquire his services.
Sipho Chaine
In the absence of Bafana Bafana captain and Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, the Orlando Pirates shot-stopper Sipho Chaine was regarded as the first-choice replacement, ahead of Veli Mothwa and Ricardo Goss.
For some strange reason, Mothwa donned the keeper's gloves with near-disastrous consequences. Chaine, unlike Mothwa and Goss, had already played five matches and kept three clean sheets. Mothwa hadn’t played a competitive game this year and looked hopelessly under-prepared.
Broos has no choice but to select Chaine and give him his national team debut. There will be several Pirates players in the team and it will prove reassuring.