Ntseki’s masterstroke: Why he played Khoza in midfield against Algeria

Bafana Bafana coach Molefi Ntseki has revealed the thinking behind his decision to deploy Malibongwe Khoza in a defensive midfield role in the 1-1 draw against Algeria in a 2024 CHAN Group C clash in Kampala on Friday.

The 21-year-old Mamelodi Sundowns defender, Khoza, delivered a Man of the Match performance, justifying coach Ntseki’s decision to play him in midfield in their CHAN tournament opener.

Algeria initially took the lead with a composed strike from Abdennour Belhocini just before the half-hour mark. However, Bafana Bafana secured a point when Thabiso Kutumela delivered a clinical equaliser just before halftime.

The match saw Khoza shine in a position he isn’t typically known for. With the more experienced duo of Ramahlwe Mphahlele and Kwanda Mngonyama at centre-back, Ntseki pushed Khoza forward, a move that proved to be a masterstroke.

Ntseki explained that the decision wasn’t as radical as it may have seemed. He has been tracking Khoza since his days in the DStv Diski Challenge (DDC), where the youngster often played as a midfielder.

“He reads the game quite well,” Ntseki told FARPost. “He’s a very intelligent player; he reads the game very well. He was coming from underneath to switch our play and to give those forward passes.”

Khoza’s intelligence and technical ability were on full display, particularly in the lead-up to South Africa’s equaliser. His perfectly weighted long-range pass found Menzi Masuku, who then set up Thabiso Kutumela for a calm finish from close range. Ntseki believes that Khoza’s quality on the ball and vision were crucial to their attacking success.

Calling him a “future Bafana Bafana player,” Ntseki has high hopes for the Sundowns academy graduate.