Star midfielder Neo Maema returns to lead Bafana Bafana in crucial CHAN qualifier

Star Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Neo Maema will captain Bafana Bafana in a decisive African Nations Championship (CHAN) second-leg qualifier against Malawi at Loftus Versfeld on Sunday afternoon.

Bafana Bafana will bank on Maema’s experience and leadership as the stakes are high following their narrow 1-0 defeat in the first leg, when Kwanda Mngonyama captained the team.

Maema’s absence was felt keenly in the first leg as Bafana Bafana struggled to turn opportunities into goals. They succumbed to a late strike from Malawi’s Zeliat Nkhoma in the 88th minute.

In the lead-up to this critical clash, Bafana Bafana coach Molefi Ntseki expressed confidence in Maema, who demonstrated his captaincy prowess during the earlier CHAN qualifying round.

Under his captaincy, South Africa triumphed over Egypt with an impressive aggregate score of 4-2.

It included a remarkable 3-1 victory on the road in Ismailia, signalling their potential and determination when they face the Malawians.

The South African squad know that to qualify for the CHAN, they must avoid falling prey to a second defeat.

The odds are on Maema to inspire the team to secure victory and a place in the mainstream tournament.

“In the previous camp (against Egypt in March), Maema was voted captain. The captain for the Malawi match is in the camp, but the captain is back. As of now, Maema is the team captain,” he said.

“Kwanda was given the armband for the match against Malawi, and he is fully aware of the change.

“When Safa president Danny Jordaan visited the team in camp this week, the captain had to address the president and everybody.

“So, we will have Maema as captain, and Kwanda as his deputy.”

Ntseki was a happier man this week because, apart from Maema, Ndumulelo Maphangule, Victor Letsoalo, Siyanda Msani, Simon Ramabu and Kamogelo Sebelebele joined the squad.

Ntseki missed the services of these players in last week’s first leg.

The coach was pleased that clubs availed their players, and he now has a stronger and more balanced team ahead of Sunday’s clash.

“The teams responded positively, because they sent six of the players we needed in camp.”