Hugo Broos Reflects On Veli Mothwa's Mistake In Bafana Bafana's Draw Against Uganda

Holifil

01 Apr, 2025

Hugo Broos has spoken out about Veli Mothwa's critical error in South Africa's nail-biting 2-2 draw with Uganda in the AFCON 2025 qualifiers.
The Belgian coach's team conceded two rapid goals in the second half, almost leading to a loss, but managed to salvage a draw thanks to a last-minute goal.
Mothwa's blunder directly resulted in Uganda's second goal, but Thalente Mbatha's debut strike ensured Bafana Bafana avoided defeat.

Listen up, folks. Hugo Broos has opened up about Veli Mothwa's costly mistake during Bafana Bafana's dramatic 2-2 draw against Uganda in the AFCON 2025 qualifiers on Friday, September 6, 2024. The match was anything but predictable, filled with twists and turns that kept fans on the edge of their seats.

Now, here's what went down. South Africa started strong, with the crowd buzzing after Lyle Foster put them ahead in the 14th minute. Everyone thought it was going to be a smooth ride to victory, but then the second half hit like a tidal wave. Uganda turned the tables with two quick goals, and Mothwa's error was the cherry on top of a chaotic sundae. But just when it seemed like all hope was lost, Orlando Pirates' Thalente Mbatha stepped up in stoppage time to score a crucial equalizer on his debut. Talk about making an entrance!

Hugo Broos reacts to Veli Mothwa's howler in Bafana Bafana's clash with Uganda in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers at the Orlando Stadium. Photo: Richard Pelham. Source: Getty Images

Broos Talks About Mothwa's Error

According to iDiskiTimes, Broos stood firmly behind Mothwa despite the glaring mistake. The Belgian coach didn't mince words when addressing the media post-match, emphasizing that errors happen and that Mothwa's selection wasn't a regrettable decision. This is the kind of leadership we need in high-pressure situations, right?

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Mothwa stepped into the spotlight because Ronwen Williams, the usual first-choice goalkeeper, is nursing an injury. But here's the thing—Mothwa's error almost cost Bafana Bafana the game. Broos knows this, but he also knows that mistakes are part of the game. Let's hear what the man himself had to say:

"This is something you only realize after the game if a selection was a mistake—you don't know it beforehand. If Veli hadn't made that error, maybe we win the game. But let's be honest, these kinds of mistakes can happen to any goalkeeper."

"So no, I don't regret putting him in goal. Now, we need to focus on how he's feeling. He's understandably devastated, and we have a lot of work to do to rebuild his confidence mentally. We'll see if it's possible. But I don't regret playing Veli today in goal at all."

Broos has a tough decision ahead as he prepares for South Africa's next qualifier against South Sudan on Tuesday, September 10, 2024. Who will don the gloves? That's the million-dollar question, and only time will tell.

Broos Breaks Down the Draw Against Uganda

In another update, Briefly News reported on Broos' take on why Bafana Bafana settled for a draw against Uganda. The Belgian coach didn't shy away from analyzing his team's performance during the post-match press conference. This isn't just about pointing fingers—it's about understanding what went wrong and how to fix it.

The game was a rollercoaster of emotions, and while Bafana Bafana had the upper hand early on, they faltered in the second half. Broos acknowledged the challenges his team faced, from defensive lapses to a lack of cohesion. It's not just about the result—it's about learning from the experience and coming back stronger in the next match.