Mashaba defends Bafana selection
Many in 25-man squad lack form, match fitness and experience
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.
Mashaba defended his selection yesterday as he had a go at the media for questioning his policies, but he could not 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 goalkeeper at Mpumalanga Black Aces; and, Thamsanqa Gabuza has not played the last three matches for Orlando Pirates.
All these players, along 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 2017 Africa Cup of Nations first-leg qualifier against the Group M leaders.
Rantie, one of Mashaba’s favourites, only recently returned to England after coming back to South Africa to recover from his injury.
Mashaba refused to talk about individuals and often referred to his criteria whenever a member of the media wanted to find out 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,” he said.
“The second point is that we select players based on big-match temperament.”
It remains to be seen if players such as William Twala, Asavela Mbekile, Cheslyn Jampies and Sifiso Hlanti – all selected in the squad – have the BMT Mashaba is talking about considering they have little or no experience at this level.
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 extremely well in two World Cup qualifiers against Angola.
There is also a place in the team for Ajax Cape Town striker Prince Nxumalo, who missed Bafana’s tour of South America last year after suffering an epileptic fit. 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.
“If you look at the log, it tells us that we need to win home and away,” Mashaba said.
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
