Tetchy coach opts for shaky Bafana squad
by Tshepang Mailwane,
2016-03-11 05:00:00.0
BAFANA Bafana coach Shakes Mashaba is going into do-or-die matches against Cameroon with no fewer than 11 players lacking match fitness, form or experience.
He defended his selection on Thursday, and had a go at the media for questioning his policies, but he cannot hide from the fact that Bafana are facing a highly rated Cameroon team with players who are either not delivering at club level or have only recently returned from injury.
Itumeleng Khune made his first appearance for Kaizer Chiefs since January 30 on Wednesday against Platinum Stars; Thulani Serero is struggling for game time at Ajax Amsterdam; Jackson Mabokgwane is now a second choice at Mpumalanga Black Aces; and Thamsanqa Gabuza has not played in the past three matches for Orlando Pirates.
All these players, with Bournemouth striker Tokelo Rantie, have been selected in Mashaba’s 25-man squad, which will be cut to 20 before the team leaves for Cameroon on March 23 for the Africa Cup of Nations first-leg qualifier against the Group M leaders. Rantie only recently returned to England after spending time in SA to recover from an injury. Mashaba refused to talk about individuals and referred to his criteria when asked why certain players were picked or what value they would bring to the team.
"We are not going to leave out a player just because his club has put him on the bench. If we know what that player can do, we will call him. The second point is that we select players based on big-match temperament. We want people who have big-match temperament, nothing else."
In-form Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Hlompho Kekana has been included in the squad and is a perfect replacement for injured teammate Bongani Zungu, who did well in two World Cup qualifiers against Angola. There is also a place in the team for Ajax Cape Town’s striker Prince Nxumalo, who missed Bafana’s tour of South America last year after suffering an epileptic fit.
Belgian-based goalkeeper Darren Keet has returned for the first time since the Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea last year.
Bafana, who have beaten Cameroon three times in seven previous meetings, are in third place on one point in Group M and cannot afford to slip up. "This is a must win," said Mashaba.
"If you look at the log, it tells us that we need to win home and away."
The second leg will be played in Durban on March 29.
Squad. Goalkeepers: Itumeleng Khune, Jackson Mabokgwane, Darren Keet
Defenders: Siyabonga Nhlapo, Thulani Hlatshwayo, Mulomowandau Mathoho, Rivaldo Coetzee, Thabo Matlaba, Asavela Mbekile
Midfielders: Andile Jali, Kamohelo Mokotjo, Thulani Serero, Themba Zwane, William Twala, Jabulani Shongwe, Mpho Makola, Mandla Masango, Hlompho Kekana
Strikers: Thamsanqa Gabuza, Prince Nxumalo Tokelo Rantie, Dino Ndlovu
Shakes Mashaba. Picture: GALLO IMAGES/LEFTY SHIVAMBU
BAFANA Bafana coach Shakes Mashaba is going into do-or-die matches against Cameroon with no fewer than 11 players lacking match fitness, form or experience.
He defended his selection on Thursday, and had a go at the media for questioning his policies, but he cannot hide from the fact that Bafana are facing a highly rated Cameroon team with players who are either not delivering at club level or have only recently returned from injury.
Itumeleng Khune made his first appearance for Kaizer Chiefs since January 30 on Wednesday against Platinum Stars; Thulani Serero is struggling for game time at Ajax Amsterdam; Jackson Mabokgwane is now a second choice at Mpumalanga Black Aces; and Thamsanqa Gabuza has not played in the past three matches for Orlando Pirates.
All these players, with Bournemouth striker Tokelo Rantie, have been selected in Mashaba’s 25-man squad, which will be cut to 20 before the team leaves for Cameroon on March 23 for the Africa Cup of Nations first-leg qualifier against the Group M leaders. Rantie only recently returned to England after spending time in SA to recover from an injury. Mashaba refused to talk about individuals and referred to his criteria when asked why certain players were picked or what value they would bring to the team.
"We are not going to leave out a player just because his club has put him on the bench. If we know what that player can do, we will call him. The second point is that we select players based on big-match temperament. We want people who have big-match temperament, nothing else."
In-form Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Hlompho Kekana has been included in the squad and is a perfect replacement for injured teammate Bongani Zungu, who did well in two World Cup qualifiers against Angola. There is also a place in the team for Ajax Cape Town’s striker Prince Nxumalo, who missed Bafana’s tour of South America last year after suffering an epileptic fit.
Belgian-based goalkeeper Darren Keet has returned for the first time since the Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea last year.
Bafana, who have beaten Cameroon three times in seven previous meetings, are in third place on one point in Group M and cannot afford to slip up. "This is a must win," said Mashaba.
"If you look at the log, it tells us that we need to win home and away."
The second leg will be played in Durban on March 29.
Squad. Goalkeepers: Itumeleng Khune, Jackson Mabokgwane, Darren Keet
Defenders: Siyabonga Nhlapo, Thulani Hlatshwayo, Mulomowandau Mathoho, Rivaldo Coetzee, Thabo Matlaba, Asavela Mbekile
Midfielders: Andile Jali, Kamohelo Mokotjo, Thulani Serero, Themba Zwane, William Twala, Jabulani Shongwe, Mpho Makola, Mandla Masango, Hlompho Kekana
Strikers: Thamsanqa Gabuza, Prince Nxumalo Tokelo Rantie, Dino Ndlovu
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