Shakes Mashaba believes he has strengthened Bafana Bafana to the extent they will finally break their scoring duck in home ties during the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Mashaba announced yesterday the squad to take on Sudan and Nigeria in the final qualifiers for next year’s biennial, continental showpiece with the focus falling squarely on the goalkeeping position left vacant by the death of captain Senzo Meyiwa.
Mashaba called up Kaizer Chiefs’ Brilliant Khuzwayo and Siyabonga Mpontshane of Platinum Stars who will battle for the No1 spot with Darren Keet, who has been Meyiwa’s deputy in the previous qualifiers.
The coach said he will wait until the eve of the match to announce the team captain.
“It would be good to announce the captaincy a few days before the match but we need not rush. We need to give it to the right person so we are going to have to go and think about it.”
Given the ‘must-win’ nature of the match – if South Africa are not to leave qualification until the trip to nemesis Nigeria and Bafana’s previous profligacy in front of goal at home, where they have failed to score in two previous matches – Mashaba has included Pirates’ striker Lehlohonolo Majoro and Sweden-based attacking midfielder May Mahlangu in the hope they will help turn things around for the better.
“We’ve played four games and we’re happy to have scored five goals in those. But it has been evident that there is a lack of ability to kill games off,” he explained, adding he strengthened the side’s attack in regard to Majoro and Mahlangu. “By calling up players who have scored three or more goals for their teams. And all we’re going to ask of them is one goal each, as that should be enough to give us a win.”
Mashaba is planning an all-out attack against Sudan who are bottom of the table but still in the running for qualification for the finals as victories in both their remaining matches will see them finish on nine points, which could be enough for second place if not the best third-place finishers.
“I doubt Sudan will sit back, they won’t come here like sheep to the slaughter. But whether they sit back (or not), we must force them to play with their backs against the wall,” the coach explained.
Mashaba also spoke of his anguish at having to find a replacement for Meyiwa.
“It was very difficult having to erase Senzo’s name from the list and we felt for the next person into those shoes,” Mashaba said.
“It will not be an easy thing to replace Senzo in both positions (goalkeeper and captain), but we will do our best to find a suitable replacement and life has to go on.
“We are also confident that whoever takes over one or two of those roles will be able to deliver.”
Mashaba has worked with Khuzwayo at Under-23 level while Mpontshane, who only played his first match of the season in the Telkom Knockout win over Chiefs a fortnight ago, would have come highly recommended by Owen da Gama who coached him at Stars.
SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Darren Keet, Siyabonga Mpontshane, Brilliant Khuzwayo
Defenders: Tefu Mashamaite and Erick Mathoho, Rivaldo Coetzee, Sibusiso Khumalo, Kwanda Mngonyama, Luvolwethu Mpeta, Anele Ngcongca, Siyabonga Nhlapo, Ntsikelelo Nyauza
Midfielders: Reneilwe Letsholonyane, Mandla Masango, Dean Furman, Andile Jali, Fagrie Lakay, May Mahlangu, Oupa Manyisa, Thulani Serero, Themba Zwane
Strikers: Kermit Erasmus, Lehlohonolo Majoro, Bongani Ndulula, Tokelo Rantie, Sibusiso Vilakazi - The Star