Former Bafana Bafana midfielder and 1996 Africa Cup of Nations winner Eric Tinkler believes key changes to the side's midfield are needed if they aim to beat Angola on Wednesday.
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Tinkler epitomised the midfield general during his playing days - capped 42 times for Bafana - and sees Dean Furman as the man capable of fulfilling a similar role in the current side.
"I feel Furman needs to be given an opportunity. He's seems to be more positive and appears to want to go forward more than Kagisho Dikgacoi does," the current Orlando Pirates assistant coach told Football411.
While Tinkler warns against wholesale changes ahead of the Group A clash with the Sable Antelopes, he suggests Siphiwe Tshabalala is a likely casualty.
"He came inside way too often against Cape Verde and offered hardly any width or support on the overlap," he said.
Tinkler is adamant the game against Angola will be decided in the middle third of the field and urges Bafana to return to the style of football that suits them best.
He continued: "Bafana can't compete with the Angolans by playing the ball in the air. The latter are tall, very strong and quick. South Africa has technically gifted players who like to receive the ball at speed, so we ultimately need to the keep ball on the deck, pass it around and find the required space.
"In 1996, we knew we just had to implement the right game plan which suited our technically astute players. The current side must do the same and predominantly play possession style football."
Bafana will have to display courage and intelligence in equal measure as Tinkler regards the Angolans as 'streetwise'.
Reflecting on Bafana's 1-0 win over Angola in the 1996 edition, also on home soil, the 42-year-old recalls the side benefiting most from set-piece play.
"We took advantage of our creativity at dead-ball situations and were ultimately rewarded with goals," he concluded.
By Grant Shub
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