Aubrey Modiba
LB (LWB)
Possession Builder
Jul 22, 1995 (30)
Left
5'7"
117 lb
Helps secure clean sheet
Modiba registered one shot (zero on goal), two crosses (one accurate) and one chance created in Wednesday's 1-0 win over South Korea. In addition, he was given a yellow card in the 73rd minute.
Analysis: Modiba registered one shot, two crosses (one accurate), one block and one tackle across his 90 minutes as the left-back in Wednesday's 1-0 win over South Korea, contributing consistently in both defensive and attacking phases against a South Korean right side that included Lee Kang-in and generated significant traffic down South Africa's left channel throughout the match. His ability to contribute in both directions, deliver into the box from the left side and maintain defensive discipline against direct wingers make him a reliable option for coach Hugo Broos in the round of 32 against Canada, where his left-sided combination with the wide forward ahead of him will be important to South Africa's attacking output.
Busy going forward
Modiba had three shots (zero on goal), five crosses (two accurate) and one corner in Thursday's 1-1 draw against Czech Republic.
Analysis: Modiba looked active going forward, co-leading the team in shots and also sending a team-high five crosses. Modiba is at his best when he's able to push the lines forward, and he's likely to be an influential attacking threat in the group-stage finale against South Korea on June 24 as well, especially since the Bafana Bafana remain alive in the race for a knockout-stage berth.
Limited impact in loss
Modiba recorded one shot (one on goal), two crosses (zero accurate) and one corner in Thursday's 2-0 defeat to Mexico.
Analysis: Modiba tried to create a bit on the left flank, but as a left-back, he was also worried about containing Roberto Alvarado and later Gilberto Mora. Modiba should maintain his place in the starting lineup when South Africa take on Czech Republic on June 18 in their second group-stage match.
Starts World Cup opener
Modiba (hamstring) is in the starting XI for Thursday's World Cup opener against Mexico.
Analysis: Modiba made his return to the starting lineup after being unavailable for the recent friendly, with his progression to training on Tuesday proving sufficient for manager Hugo Broos to hand him the left wingback role for the most important fixture of South Africa's campaign. The defender's recovery from the hamstring issue had been the major storyline heading into the tournament opener, and his availability is a significant boost for a Bafana Bafana side heading into a high-stakes World Cup opener against Mexico.
Set to train, likely for opener
Modiba (hamstring) is set to train Tuesday and is likely to be an option for Thursday's opener against Mexico, according to manager Hugo Broos, per Velile Mnyandu of SABC Sports.
Analysis: Modiba is on the mend this week as he nears a return to play, with the defender set to join training Tuesday. This opens up the availability for the defender when facing Mexico on Thursday, appearing to now be an option for the team's World Cup opener, major news after he was not used in a friendly. He is set to start at left-back, so this is a major return for the club if it comes to fruition, with Samukele Kabini as a possible replacement after he started at left-back in their latest friendly.
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