Durban – South Africa have enough talent not to let the withdrawal of midfielder May Mahlangu affect their preparations for this weekend’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Sudan in Durban.
And if the Sweden-based midfielder is overlooked in future it will be because he ruled himself out of the latest camp, said national team coach Ephraim Mashaba after the squad held their first training in Durban yesterday.
“Unfortunately we received a letter that says he has played a lot of games and needs rest,” Mashaba said of the attacking midfielder who has ended the Swedish season with IFK Goteborg, and is reportedly a free agent.
“We will just follow this matter up and get to the bottom of it. I can only hope people will understand when these players are not called up again for the national team,” said Mashaba.
“When I took up this position, I spoke a lot about patriotism, which for me is paramount. If tomorrow the player is not considered and the media asks why, here is the reason. One will ask, what about the players who have been sacrificing their time to be in the team?
“If we are going to say that we can’t do without so and so, then we are saying to the others that they are not good enough.”
The South African midfield will also miss the penetrative runs of Sibusiso Vilakazi after the Bidvest Wits player succumbed to a toe injury.
Another attacker, Thulani Serero, is nursing a slight thigh muscle strain but is fit enough to train and is expected to be ready for the penultimate qualifying game on Saturday afternoon at Moses Mabhida Stadium. Mashaba had yet to decide on potential replacements for the midfield pair. The coach was not flustered about the late changes and instead presented a confident demeanour as he plotted Bafana Bafana’s first home victory of the qualifying competition.
South Africa will qualify for the tournament with victory over Sudan.
The top two sides earn automatic entry to the continental showpiece.
A South African victory, coupled with a win for Nigeria in Congo the same day, will ensure South Africa finish on top of their group.
Despite the squad shake-up Mashaba was positive and joked that if he had his boots he too would be ready to play. Not even the team’s failure to score in their two home qualifiers to date caused the coach concern. Following a session in which Kermit Erasmus, Lehlohonolo Majoro and Reneilwe Letsho-lonyane thundered shots into goal from all angles at People’s Park, Mashaba has reason for optimism.
“We have not looked at Sudan. We have our own players to psyche up and look at our strong points. So far we have won only away, and by the time we got home the celebrations subsided, so it will be a very good thing if we can win at home.
“First we’ll work on our defence, but when we get the ball we will push forward in numbers, not in single players.”
This will be the team’s first game following the death of captain and goalkeeper Senzo Meyiwa. Mashaba said he was in no rush to select a captain, while in goals KZN-born pair Siyabonga Mpontshane and Nhlanhla Khuzwayo will push Belgium-based Darren Keet for the No1 jersey.
Kick-off Saturday is 3pm. Tickets for the match are available from Computicket and Shoprite outlets at R80. South Africa will round off their campaign away to Nigeria on Wednesday at the new Ibo International Stadium in Uyo.
Bafana Squad for Sudan and Nigeria
Goalkeepers: Darren Keet (KV Kortrijk, Belgium), Siyabonga Mpontshane (Platinum Stars), Brilliant Khuzwayo (Kaizer Chiefs). Defenders: Anele Ngcongca (Racing Genk, Belgium), Siyabonga Nhlapho (Bidvest Wits), Sibusiso Khumalo (SuperSport United), Luvolwethu Mpeta (Platinum Stars), Erick Mathoho (Kaizer Chiefs), Ntsikelelo Nyauza (Orlando Pirates), Rivaldo Coetzee (Ajax Cape Town), Kwanda Mngonyama (Maritzburg United), Tefu Mashamaite (Kaizer Chiefs).
Midfielders: Themba Zwane (Mamelodi Sundowns), Fagrie Lakay (Santos), Oupa Manyisa (Orlando Pirates), Andile Jali (KV Oostende, Belgium), Dean Furman(Doncaster Rovers, England), Mandla Masango (Kaizer Chiefs), Reneilwe Letsholonyane (Kaizer Chiefs), Thulani Serero (Ajax Amsterdam, Netherlands).
Strikers: Bongani Ndulula (AmaZulu), Tokelo Rantie (AFC Bournemouth, England), Lehlohonolo Majoro (Orlando Pirates), Kermit Erasmus (Orlando Pirates) - The Star