Shakes Mashaba knew he had to work on finishing yesterday, but he could not tell when the main striker in his squad, Tokelo Rantie, would arrive in Durban.
After starting his labours in the winter sun of the east coast, the Bafana Bafana coach said he had to quickly reduce rustiness in some of his players who were on club leave, before moving to the perennial problem of banging in goals.
“One big problem in South Africa is the scoring of goals. Nobody can say we are not creating chances or not keeping possession well enough,” said Mashaba, whose happy start to his Bafana tenure was replaced with the stress of leaving both the 2015 Afcon finals and Cosafa Cup early.
His team have averaged just one goal per game in this disappointing period, making him extremely conscious of the need to work on finishing ahead of Saturday’s clash with little-known Gambia in the start to 2017 Afcon qualifying at Moses Mabhida Stadium (3pm kick-off).
However, the veteran coach seemed reluctant to say exactly when Rantie would report for duty – the marksman from newly-promoted English club Bournemouth was given a break to spend time with his new wife.
“We hope to see him later in the week,” was all Mashaba could say.
Since Chiefs star Bernard Parker is not in the squad and the rest of the forwards selected by Mashaba have extremely limited international experience, the coach may well have to call on his midfielders to take on scoring responsibilities this week.
Some Bafana followers may have actually viewed those four forwards as surprise picks because they come from teams relegated from the Premiership recently or clubs in the First Division.
SuperSport winger Thuso Phala was another experienced man absent from both training sessions at People’s Park yesterday, because of influenza, but was expected to bounce back today.
Meanwhile, the Gambians have reportedly formed a new team under young Swiss coach Raoul Savoy following the serving of a two-year ban from the game for age-cheating.
Savoy, 42, previously coached the Central African Republic's national side and has told reporters in tiny Gambia that he plans to get a “positive result” in Durban, meaning a draw, and then a win in the next qualifier at home against Cameroon in September.
His team, whose most recent captain Abdou Jammeh earns his keep as a defender in Finland, are scheduled to play a friendly against Uganda in Kampala today before they fly to South Africa.
They are nicknamed the Scorpions, but have not stung enough opponents down the years to earn the right to play in the finals of the World Cup or Africa Cup of Nations.
This is largely because of a small selection pool and limited resources, with their “star” players tending to feature in modest European leagues or lower divisions of top countries.
Like Durban, Gambia is reportedly better known for its beaches than football teams.
Bafana squad
Goalkeepers: Jackson Mabokgwane, Brilliant Khuzwayo, Itumeleng Khune
Defenders: Thabo Matlaba, Rivaldo Coetzee, Anele Ngcongca, Thulani Hlatshwayo, Marc van Heerden, Clayton Daniels, Patrick Phungwayo, Siyabonga Nhlapho, Tshepo Gumede, Ntsikelelo Nyauza
Midfielders: Oupa Manyisa, Andile Jali, May Mahlangu, Thulani Serero, Mandla Masango, Bongani Zungu, Ayanda Patosi, Thuso Phala, Jabulani Shongwe
Strikers: Tokelo Rantie, Bonginkosi Ntuli, Vuyisile Wana, Gift Motupa, Siphelele Ntshangase