Itumeleng Khune is set to miss Bafana Bafana’s two crucial 2018 World Cup qualifiers against Angola.
The star Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper is scheduled to undergo surgery to repair a recurring knee injury, bringing the other two number ones in the squad – Jackson Mabokgwane and Ronwen Williams – into contention.
Khune’s withdrawal from the squad, though, still has to be officially confirmed.
The SA national team faces a tricky two-leg test against the unpredictable Angolans this week and early next week. Victory is paramount if Bafana are to continue the qualification campaign for football’s 2018 showpiece event to be hosted by Russia.
Five African countries will qualify for Russia and, at the moment, in Round Two of the qualification process, there are still 40 countries alive. In short, lose to Angola over the two legs and Bafana are out of the running – that’s how vital the next week and half will be. And the loss of Khune certainly doesn’t help…
Bafana swing into action for the first leg on Friday at the Ombaka National Stadium in Benguela, Angola (4.30pm SA time). The second leg will be played next Tuesday at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban (7pm).
With Khune out, it’s likely that Mpumalanga Black Aces keeper Mabokgwane will assume the responsibility between the sticks.
A winning performing against Angola is also needed because of the recent decline of the national team. Last week, Bafana continued the slide down the FIFA rankings, dropping two places to 75th in the world and 18th in Africa. Angola are currently ranked 98th in the world.
Bafana coach Shakes Mashaba’s squad includes all the names who have become regulars during his tenure. A new addition, though, for the Angola qualifiers is a re-call for striker Dino Ndlovu.
Ndlovu, who has played for Mamelodi Sundowns, Bloemfontein Celtic, SuperSport United and Black Aces in the PSL, and Bnei Yehuda and Maccabi Haifa in Israel, is currently in hot scoring form for Anorthosis Famagusta in Cyprus.
The 25-year-old says he is looking forward to the challenge this week.
“I’m glad my hard work has paid off and I’m back in the Bafana squad,” said Ndlovu. “If I get an opportunity, I’m determined to do my best to contribute to the team’s success.”
Ndlovu’s scoring prowess and the recent elevation of Orlando Pirates forward Thamsanqa Gabuza provide the squad with some firepower in attack. Getting goals consistently has long been Bafana’s main drawback – but, over the weekend, Mashaba was given another source of confidence when Tokelo Rantie came off the bench to feature for Bournemouth in the English Premier League.
Since 1996, South Africa and Angola have met on 10 occasions, with Bafana only losing once.
Mashaba, however, is not reading too much into that. “Stats remain stats, although they give you confidence going into a match,” he said. But it’s not a guarantee that you can repeat it. In fact, the stats could put you under pressure to continue doing well. Angola are a very good side and cannot be taken lightly.”
Bafana squad
Goalkeepers: Itumeleng Khune (Kaizer Chiefs), Jackson Mabokgwane (MP Black Aces), Ronwen Williams (SuperSport United)
Defenders: Sipho Nhlapo (Wits), Lehlohonolo Nonyane (Aces), Anele Ngcongca (Troyes, France), Thabo Matlaba (Orlando Pirates), Clayton Daniels (SuperSport United), Eric Mathoho (Kaizer Chiefs), Rivaldo Coetzee (Ajax Cape Town), Thulani Hlatshwayo (Wits)
Midfielders: Andile Jali (KV Oostende, Belgium), Kamohelo Mokotjo (FC Twente, Netherlands), Philani Ntshangase (Wits), Bongani Zungu (Mamelodi Sundowns), George Lebese (Kaizer Chiefs), Dean Furman (SuperSport United), Mpho Makola (Orlando Pirates), Mandla Masango (Randers, Denmark), Themba Zwane (Mamelodi Sundowns)
Strikers: Thamsanqa Gabuza (Orlando Pirates), Thulani Serero (Ajax Amsterdam, Netherlands), Sibusiso Vilakazi (Wits), Tokelo Rantie (Bournemouth, England), Dino Ndlovu (Anorthosis, Cyprus) - Cape Argus