ONWARD: Hlompho Kekana has been in fine form for Sundowns and could be included in the SA squad to be named today. Picture: GALLO IMAGES
ONWARD: Hlompho Kekana has been in fine form for Sundowns and could be included in the SA squad to be named today. Picture: GALLO IMAGES

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BAFANA Bafana midfielder Dean Furman feels competition for places in the national team is getting tighter with a number of players in the local league raising their hands to be selected by coach Shakes Mashaba.

The likes of Keagan Dolly, Hlompho Kekana and Prince Nxumalo have been in sublime form for their clubs in the Premiership recently and they could be part of the squad Mashaba is set to announce today for the back-to-back 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifiers against Cameroon in a fortnight.

Players such as Tokelo Rantie, Sibusiso Vilakazi and Bongani Zungu are out nursing injuries, while Itumeleng Khune, Jackson Mabokgwane, Thulani Serero, Thamsanqa Gabuza and Furman himself are either not playing enough or are off-form right now.

Furman, though, said there were enough players in the local league for Mashaba to pick from.

"I think competition is vital. The more players we have in top form, the better. It keeps everyone on their toes because they know someone can take their place.

"Kekana has been in terrific form, so it’s great that the coach has many players to select from."

He added: "Injuries happen. It’s disappointing to miss these kind of players. Before they were injured, they were on top of their game.

"Zungu was in terrific form before his injury and Tokelo has been our main striker over the last couple of years. To lose these kinds of players is a big blow and it’s up to the players who come in to fill the boots of those who are missing."

Furman was part of the Bafana squad that finished the 2015 Afcon qualifying campaign unbeaten, but the current campaign has been a disaster so far.

Bafana were held to a goalless draw by Gambia at home in the first game before being hammered 3-1 by Mauritania away from home.

Mashaba’s team cannot afford to get anything less than three points against Cameroon, who are top of Group M with six points.

" In our last qualifying campaign, (we had a) great start. We remained unbeaten and that was important," said Furman.

" This campaign, we are coming from behind and we have to pick up points. We need to come back (from Cameroon) with points."