Thulani Serero and Santos starlet Fagrie Lakay could be two surprise selections tomorrow when coach Shakes Mashaba announces his Bafana Bafana squad for next month’s African Cup of Nations qualifiers against the Congo.
Serero was left out of Mashaba’s first Bafana squad and missed their victory away to Sudan and the draw against Nigeria in the Mother City.
It seemed like the new Bafana coach wanted to make a statement by leaving Serero out of the squad.
The Ajax Amsterdam attacking midfielder is arguably South Africa’s best available player in Europe, but he has had a few run-ins with Safa, and was last year sent home from a Bafana camp before a World Cup qualifier against Botswana when Gordon Igesund was still in charge of the side.
Mashaba has in the past been reluctant to pick overseas-based players who aren’t fully committed to the Bafana cause. And there were a couple of subtle hints at that first squad announcement that total commitment to the national team will be one of the criterias for selection.
However, Serero’s quality can’t be overlooked any more, especially after his good display against French champions Paris St Germain in a Uefa Champions League group match last week.
Serero drew a foul on the edge of the PSG box in the 74th minute, before his teammate Lasse Schone curled home the free kick to give the Dutch side a credible draw against the star-studded Parisian side.
South Africa Under-20 star Lakay could also be a shock inclusion following his spectacular start to the season with Santos and Amajita.
Last month, Lakay secured South Africa a spot in the 2015 African Youth Championship in Senegal with a first-half brace. He has also carried over that form to his club side Santos in the National First Division with a number of assists.
The 17-year-old Lakay was arguably also the best player on the park when Bafana played Santos in a training match at Athlone Stadium ahead of their clash against Nigeria.
He showed off his blistering pace, and scored against Bafana with a stinging shot from outside the penalty area after he sprinted through the national side’s defence.
Lakay has also come through the ranks, having played for South Africa at Under-17 level. He is also set to feature for the Under-23s soon.
A trip to the Congo, even if he doesn’t get time on the park, would do him the world of good to experience a different enviroment. - Cape Times