Johannesburg – Even Bafana Bafana newbie Sifiso Hlanti is aware of the enormous task that awaits the national team in trying to book a place in next year’s tournament in Gabon, with no victory in their opening two matches.
Hlanti was a surprise call-up by coach Shakes Mashaba a little over a week ago for the two Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Cameroon this month.
“Football is cruel, and sometimes you just have to create your own luck,” says Bidvest Wits left-back Hlanti.
“We need to be positive when we get there, and try to convert our chances.
“I saw the two games (a draw against Gambia and a 3-1 defeat to Mauritania) the team has played already in this group and I think the guys who were playing at the time did their best.
“But I think everyone involved now will help turn the corner because that is what we are all hoping for.”
Hlanti’s Bafana inclusion is a reminder of Mashaba’s unpredictable nature, a trait that has seen him lose support from sections of the supporters, pundits and media.
The Wits defender is one of 11 players – from a 25-man squad – whose experience or fitness has been questioned ahead of the trip to Limbe, where South Africa take on the Indomitable Lions, the Group M leaders with two victories in the same number of games, this coming Saturday and again three days later in Durban.
Hlanti was stunned to get the nod.
“But as a footballer you need to be alert,” says the 25-year-old who was signed by the Absa Premiership title-chasing Clever Boys in January from National First Division side AmaZulu, who were relegated from the top-flight at the end of last season.
“It wasn’t easy to go down with AmaZulu, but coaches talk and Gavin Hunt said he wants to see me give my best when he gave me this opportunity.
“I didn’t think I would be a regular at Wits so quickly, let alone play for Bafana because I had not been playing for two months before I joined a new club.”
Thabo Matlaba is likely to play ahead of Hlanti and Cheslyn Jampies, the other left-back in the national team for the two Nations Cup qualifiers, but in case Mashaba feels a need to take a risk, Wits coach Hunt has some insight on his recent recruit. “That’s a guy I took out of the wilderness and he hadn’t played much, but I got him at left-back even though he thinks he is a left-winger.
“He has done a job for us, can use the ball well and affected a few games for us by scoring a goal and getting an assist.
“He has come good and I think he will get better when he starts pre-season with the side,” Hunt explained.“I don’t know about his call-up because I can’t comment on who gets selected and who doesn’t. At the end of the day I am happy for him.
“He has been very consistent for us and (Onismor) Bhasera hasn’t played because of that, which shows we needed competition.
“Hlanti is not fit. I say that bearing in mind that he has played six games for us. What I mean is that he still needs the basic endurance fitness, but we will get that because he is still young enough.”
– The Sunday Independent