Who is Bafana Bafana’s unsung AFCON hero?

Legend Doctor Khumalo has made his called on Sphephelo Sithole labelling him an unsung hero in the Bafana Bafana squad.

South Africa, needing just a point to go to the knockout rounds, were put to the test by Tunisia, who needed a win to stay alive in the continental event last time out and Sithole was key according to Khumalo.

BAFANA BAFANA’S UNSUNG AFCON HERO

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Head coach Hugo Broos chose a Sithole-Mokoena midfield partnership against Tunisia, as he had done in the previous two AFCON matches.

Mokoena has received a lot of praise for his efforts throughout the group stages, but his midfield partner has largely gone unheralded.

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Following the game on Wednesday, Doctor Khumalo gave Sithole more credit in a statement on SABC Sport.

“I’m so glad that we have found a Sithole, he is a maturing player,” Khumalo said.

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“Now we have a very matured player and now we have to secure him and show him the way, that this is the national team. He is so unbelievable!

“I know a lot of people don’t pay attention to him, but that’s our investment because now the likes of Mokoena don’t have to dig deep when defending because he is there.

“He is both attack and defence and even in transition.”

THE ANCHOR

He wasn’t the only one impressed with Steve Komphela also lauding the player.

“Call him the invincible South African. When Bafana Bafana is in operation, he’s not visible but take him out, that’s when you’ll notice.

“It’s true. The invincible South African, you’ll never see him. He is not a hero. But if you enter the dressing room, he’s the anchor.

“When a ship is by the harbour and held by the anchor, the wind will push but it won’t move and you won’t see the anchor. But remove the anchor? listen, your ship is leaving! That is Sithole.”