Rangers defender Olwethu Makhanya has been praised by South Africa boss Pitso Mosimane after being asked to fill in as a midfielder during Bafana Bafana's impressive 1-0 victory over Egypt.
Makhanya has established himself as a solid defender for club and country, but was deployed out of position late in Sunday's international friendly at the Cairo International Stadium as South Africa dealt with injuries in midfield.
The Rangers star was part of a heavily rotated South Africa side as Mosimane made nine changes to the team that had featured in their previous match with Eretria.
Rather than protecting his fringe players from one of Africa's biggest nations, albeit without superstar Mohamed Salah due to an internal ‘crisis’, Mosimane opted to throw them straight into the deep end.
And the decision paid off as Puso Dithejane's goal secured a memorable victory over the Pharaohs.
Makhanya praised for midfield performance
Speaking after the match, Mosimane explained the thinking behind his approach and specifically referenced Makhanya's unexpected role in midfield.
"We were a little bit thin in the midfield. I had to play Makhanya in the midfield at the end, but it's part of football; you've got to do what you've got to do," Mosimane said.
Mosimane had already challenged his younger players by selecting them against a strong Egypt side, with several fringe players handed rare opportunities to impress.
The Bafana Bafana boss admitted the opening stages were difficult for his inexperienced side but was delighted with the response as they grew into the contest.
"It was a little bit difficult. You see, the first five minutes, we could not find our feet. It's normal because we brought the younger ones. We changed the whole team," he said.
"As the game progressed, we started to gain confidence, but what I like is that they are not afraid to play, and we need to give them a chance.
"I let them swim with the sharks, threw them in the deep end. Yeah, they swam."
Rangers defender continues to shine
Makhanya's contribution was made even more notable by the fact he was asked to perform a role that is not his natural position.
The Rangers defender had previously earned praise from Mosimane after his performance against Guinea, where he was tasked with dealing with Borussia Dortmund striker Serhou Guirassy.
His latest international appearance therefore provides another indication of the trust being placed in him by the South Africa coaching staff.
The 1-0 victory also gave Bafana Bafana a major boost as they continue to develop their squad, with Mosimane able to assess a number of younger players against elite opposition.
Makhanya's versatility is another positive to take from the international break from a Rangers perspective, and could be something Derek McInnes utilises during the Gers’ Scottish Premiership campaign.
While his primary position remains at centre-back, his willingness and ability to step into midfield when South Africa needed him gives Mosimane another option, and demonstrates the kind of adaptability that can be valuable at Ibrox too.
South Africa will return to action in November when they face Kenya in a double-header, while Makhanya will return to Rangers hoping to build on an increasingly positive international window.
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