Malibongwe Khoza shines as Bafana Bafana secures a vital CHAN draw against Algeria

Bafana Bafana displayed remarkable resilience and teamwork during their African Nations Championship (CHAN) Group C match against Algeria, which ended in a 1-1 draw on Friday evening at Kampala's Mandela National Stadium.

The Mamelodi Sundowns attacker, Malibongwe Khoza, delivered a stellar performance, earning the 'Player of the Match' award, despite being deployed in an unfamiliar central midfield role.

Khoza's nonchalant attitude towards his accolades highlighted his commitment to the team. After the match, he said: “First of all, I’d like to give thanks. I’m pleased with this draw, considering we conceded very early, but I must say this award belongs to the group, not just to me.

"The most important thing is that we got the point.” His sentiment echoed the spirit of unity within the team, a vital ingredient that helped them secure the draw after trailing behind early in the game.

Algeria's Abdennour Belhocini opened the scoring just minutes into the match, putting South Africa under immediate pressure. However, just before half-time, Thabiso Kutumela found the net, which gave the team renewed hope.

Reflecting on his new role, Khoza explained, “I have never played as a midfielder, and it has been an experience playing in this position. I am confident in my team, and we are here to play.” His adaptability and tactical acumen were crucial, especially against a technically adept Algerian side.

Coach Molefi Ntseki praised Khoza's versatility, asserting that he has the potential to become a mainstay for the national team.

“Malibongwe (Khoza), when he was playing in the DDC (DStv Diski Challenge), he played as a midfielder,” Ntseki explained. “He’s a brilliant player. He reads the game very well.”

He further elaborated on Khoza's performance, emphasising that his ability to transition between defensive and midfield roles was instrumental in maintaining the team's tactical structure throughout the match.

Khoza was also quick to highlight the role of coach Molefi Ntseki in forging a sense of unity within a relatively new-look squad.

“The team doesn’t know each other very well yet, but the excellent work our coach has done helps create unity and cohesion in the group, and we are here to fight until the end.

“We want to qualify from the group stage. We will fight until the end,” Khoza said, embodying the team's determination as they look ahead to their next match against Guinea on Monday.