Cape Town - Shakes Mashaba kept faith with the bulk of the squad that performed so well in Bafana Bafana’s two opening 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, but added a few interesting selections for the two upcoming fixtures against Congo Brazzaville.
After a 3-0 win over Sudan in Khartoum and a 0-0 draw with African champions Nigeria in the Mother City, the SA national football squad is second in the qualifying group on four points, two behind leaders Congo.
Bafana take on the group’s pacesetters in Pointe Noire on October 11 and, four days later, face them again in Polokwane.
Bafana head coach Mashaba has continued his vision of promoting youngsters from the country’s junior national teams - and the latest recipient is 17-year-old Santos striker, Fagrie Lakay.
Lakay, from Manenberg, has netted some crucial goals for the SA under 20s, but it was probably his performance for Santos in a friendly against Bafana at Athlone recently that sealed his selection.
The young forward was brilliant in that match, causing the Bafana defenders quite a few headaches with his pace and power, and he scored a sensational individual goal as well.
Mashaba was quick to explain why he had selected the youngster.
“I suppose many people will ask who is this Fagrie Lakay and why is he in the Bafana squad,” said Mashaba. “Let me tell you why… He is doing very well. He played for the under-17s and scored goals all the time.
“He is now in the under-20s and often gets goals that you wouldn’t expect him to score. He is a good player and can really strike a ball.
“The technical team sat down and we discussed the fact that it’s time we, as South Africa, also take young players into these tough competitions.
“Lakay was with the under-20s when we took a tour of west Africa, so he knows what it’s like. And the exposure at Bafana level will prepare him even better for the future.”
The youngster was excited about his selection.
“I guess it came sooner than expected,” said Lakay. “I’m sure my recent goal against Bafana helped a bit.
“As a young player, it’s great to be part of the senior national team. It has always been my goal to play for Bafana, and now I’ve achieved my dream.
“We’ll see how it goes. I am still young and there’s lots to learn. If I don’t get to play, that’s okay. Just being part of the Bafana set-up is an achievement in itself and I will have experience of being there. But, if my chance comes, I will have to be ready.”
Also back in favour is former Ajax Cape Town midfielder Thulani Serero. He has been in fine form for Ajax Amsterdam, in the Dutch league and the European Champions League.
Serero has had run-ins with the Bafana management in the past, like feigning injury when part of previous coach Gordon Igesund’s squad.
Mashaba, though, was confident he could change the 24-year-old’s attitude to the national team.
“The most important thing is to motivate Serero,” said the Bafana coach. “When he is on song, he is a player who will give you what you want. He is the type of player that can add something new to this Bafana squad, we just have to make sure that he is ready.”
With Bafana expecting a torrid trip to Pointe Noire in the Congo, especially in the light of the bad memories of the last time the South Africans visited in 1997, Mashaba has felt the need to add some steel to the squad by including combative Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Reneilwe Letsholonyane and his Amakhosi teammate, in-form central defender Tefu Mashamaite.
Weekend Argus