With Bafana Bafana having suffered a shock defeat to Rwanda on Tuesday afternoon, KickOff readers have given mixed reactions to the result, with some pointing the finger at the terrible conditions that the two teams played in at the Huye Stadium.
What's the story?
Hugo Broos' charges were looking to make it two wins from two games when they faced 140-ranked Rwanda in what was a first professional meeting between the teams. Bafana Bafana were tipped as the favourite to win the clash despite being the away side, as the Amavubi Wasps were winless in 2023 in five matches played.
It ended in dissapointment for the South Africans, however, as they evidently struggled to get full control of the game, partly due to the conditions. The artificial pitch at the Huye Stadium was flooded with rain water and the visitors struggled to cope with the physicality of their opponents despite dominating possession and piecing together more passes than Rwanda.
KO readers on Facebook have now had their say on the dissapointing result!
"Wow, Rwandan team, what a way to show that other teams matters. Wonderful Rwanda, wonderful," says Peter Telekelo.
"Our problem was Sundowns effect," says Mthetheleli Msiya.
"Hard luck Broos, luck wasn't on our side and the boys played very well second half," says Bruno-Gee Gogontle.
"We shall meet again in a world class pitch and a footballing lesson will be taught to Rwanda," says Nipho Msiro.
"Let the excuses roll... Yes the pitch was rubbish the game shouldn't have gone through with such conditions... Nothing against Rick Flair but Pitso the sun of the soil is jobless why wait," says Ndukenhle 'Papa J' Dlamini.
"Despite the wet field Bafana Bafana has a tendency of winning games before they are played. This is a ghost that has haunted us for years," says Henry Diludlu.
"If we were playing Egypt or Senegal, these players would have done much better. That's what they always do forget all about the competition and try to match the standard of their opponent, like Pirates when playing Chiefs. Sometimes It's not about the fans or the pitch the problem is with the players," says Luzuko Zenzile.
"We can't blame the coach, he has done the best for our squad, from bad to better," says Lindokuhle Mthokozisi Ntuli.
"They lost because Hugo Broos was focusing on banning Zimbabwe from these qualifiers," says Charles Chirimuhanzu.
"They were playing in a swimming pool, Rwanda playing helicopter football," says
"Some people they just comment but it's clear that they didn't watch the game, the conditions were very bad on a small ground. Bafana Bafana played on had too much water," says Mafuza Mzukulu-kaHenji Radebe.
Read: ‘It will be a downgrade for Pitso to come to SA…'
KO readers also shared their thoughts on Khuliso Mudau's recent response to links with a move overseas: Mudau responds to links with European move
The Mamelodi Sundowns full-back has reportedly drawn the attention of Burnley in the Premier League and having won every available domestic title as well as his first piece of continetal silverware - the African Football League - some feel that the former Black Leopards star should jump at the opportunity of going overseas.
The 2022/23 Defender of the Season said he focus right now is on Masandawana but he would be open to plying his trade abroad.
Reacting to the story, readers had this to say:
"Vincent Kompany said he liked how the guy plays in a personal capacity but Burnley as a club never said anything bafwethu in SA we love fiction bafwethu," says Shimi Sbazi Baloyi.
"Oh my God not Burnley coz they will be relegated why not Crystal Palace or Everton or Aston Villa," says Mdu Kunene WakwaShoba.
"If it's true akahambe he is a very good player that oke," says Phiwokuhle F Makhaye.
"Semdala akakhohlwe," says Mabhalakophe Soil.
"Zungu went to Portugal France and Scotland... Dolly went to France... I think they destroyed his career as hes no longer the same...the problem is that Sundowns won't allow to be bullied by those European teams... They sold Tau and Mailula coz the teams meet their buying clause," says Nolo's Waga Lepulana.
