Bafana Bafana coach Stuart Baxter returned this week from an information-gathering and relationship-strengthening tour of the French clubs where SA players are based.
Baxter visited the clubs of Lebogang Mothiba (RC Strasbourg)‚ Keagan Dolly (Montpellier HSC) and Bongani Zungu (Amiens SC).
“I was visiting some of the clubs that have got our injured players.
“And I went to Strasbourg to see Lebo Mothiba‚ talk to his coach and see how they use him‚” Baxter said.
“I was in France and did Keagan Dolly‚ Lebo Mothiba and Bongani Zungu.
“Lebogang Phiri [at EA Guingamp] was injured and not playing so I didn’t get to see him this time around.
“I wanted to see Lebo Mothiba’s club because I think he’s going to be an important player for a long time for South Africa.
“I went to Montpellier and met their physiotherapist and got an update on Keagan’s injury. I met Bongani Zungu’s sporting director at Amiens.
“Then I got on the train and travelled 2½ hours to Strasbourg‚ just to watch Lebo Mothiba train and sit with his coach [Thierry Laurey] and his president [Marc Keller] and ask‚ ‘are you happy with everything – what can we do for you?’
“It was good. And I think that relationship we have is going to be vital going forward.
“I don’t think Strasbourg will be his final destination, I think he’ll move on.
“But at the moment he’s delighted with Strasbourg and Strasbourg . . . with him.”
Baxter returned to the news that Safa has agreed‚ pending government approval‚ to replace Cameroon as next year’s Africa Cup of Nations hosts.
He said he would travel to see some of SA’s emerging young talent based in Portugal in December or January.
“I’m going to go and visit a few of the younger players like Luther Singh and Thabo Cele in Portugal‚” Baxter said.
“I’ve got to get around and figure out how we can turn these young guys into players we can use for Qatar [the 2022 World Cup].
“I’ve got to see how they’re progressing‚ if they are having any problems at the club that we need to know about.
“I think we need to co-operate on that and the clubs need to be viewed more as a partner and as a friend.
“I’ve tried to do it with the SA clubs‚ and now I need to get around to the European clubs – because often they can be the stumbling blocks.”