Brave Sihlangu bow out with pride

PORT ELIZABETH – In a valiant display, Sihlangu bowed out of the COSAFA Cup with their heads held high. Led by Interim Coach Sifiso ‘Nuro’ Ntibane, the team showcased their skills and determination throughout the tournament.

Although they suffered a 1-0 defeat against Bafana Bafana, courtesy of a Thabang Sibanyoni header early in the game; Sihlangu gave their all, but could not secure the desired result.

Here is a breakdown of the individual performances of some key Sihlangu players. They are scored out of 10.

Xolani Gama - 8/10: Gama made numerous impressive saves, denying Ashly Cupido, Sibanyoni, and Rushwin Dortley. He kept Sihlangu in the game, but unfortunately, his teammates could not find the back of the net. However, Gama did struggle to deal with a cross that resulted in a goal.

Newman Philiso - 6/10: Although Newman played well, there were instances where he was caught out of position after Sihlangu lost possession. He could have performed better if he did not lose track of his opponent and sometimes hesitated to release the ball. Mcolisi ‘Marcelo’ Manana - 7/10: Manana had a solid performance, especially compared to his previous two games. He effectively closed down the South Africa defenders, preventing dangerous crosses. Manana also contributed to Sihlangu’s attacks by delivering crosses. However, his overlapping runs occasionally exposed the team.

Gift Gamedze - 6/10: Gamedze should have performed better when South Africa attempted to break through Sihlangu’s defence, particularly in central defence.

Simanga Masangane - 7/10: Masangane deserves praise for his consistent performances throughout the tournament. Despite occasionally being out of position, he showcased good ball control, initiated build-ups from the back, and won aerial duels. He is definitely a promising player for the future. Nkosiphile Shongwe - 6/10: Shongwe’s impact in the national team has been limited so far. He mainly focused on basic tasks such as clearing dead balls and making necessary passes. It seems he tends to shy away from the action and lacks a strong presence on the field.

Neliswa ‘Tiger’ Dlamini - 8/10: Dlamini displayed consistent performances throughout the tournament, and the game against Bafana Bafana was the icing on the cake for him. He often found himself covering for the defence and played a crucial role in Sihlangu’s attacks. Dlamini was the catalyst for many of their offensive moves and demonstrated exceptional skills.

Thubelihle Mavuso - 8/10: Mavuso proved to be a rising star in the match against South Africa. With confidence on the ball, he effortlessly manoeuvred past defenders; positioned himself well; and added purpose and class to Sihlangu’s game play. With the right guidance and coaching, Mavuso has the potential to become a key player for the future.

Junior Magagula - 7/10: In the final game, Magagula made significant contributions by holding the ball, creating space, and showcasing good ball control with his first and final touches.

Sizolwethu ‘Nunu’ Shabala - 6/10: Shabalala had a relatively quiet game and was eventually substituted. Known for his aggression and powerful shots, he only managed to fulfil the basics during this match, without any extraordinary moments.

Ayanda Gadlela - 7/10: Gadlela had one of his best performances of the tournament, causing headaches for the South Africa defence. He showcased excellent ball control and unleashed his trademark powerful shots.

Overall, Sihlangu’s players demonstrated their skills and commitment throughout the tournament, despite the disappointing result against hosts Bafana Bafana, who also crashed out.

They can be proud of their performances and can look forward to building on their strengths for future international competitions.