The 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) is the perfect stage for Thulani Serero to put to bed any doubt that he is South Africa’s best current footballer.
The Ajax Amsterdam midfielder has long been considered the country’s top overseas-based footballer, but his performances in a Bafana Bafana jersey have not always been convincing.
Now, when Bafana line up at the Afcon tournament in Equatorial Guinea next year, Serero has the perfect stage to exhibit the full range of his skill, creativity and influence.
South Africa are in a really tough group with Algeria, Ghana and Senegal – and they will certainly need the 24-year-old former Ajax Cape Town star to be at his best.
Bafana coach Shakes Mashaba this week named a provisional 34-man squad for the 2015 continental showpiece, with Serero, Dean Furman (Doncaster Rovers, England), Anele Ngcongca (Racing Genk, Belgium), Darren Keet (KV Kortrijk, Belgium), Andile Jali (KV Oostende, Belgium), Ayanda Patosi (Lokeren, Belgium) and Tokelo Rantie (Bournemouth, England) as the ovseas-based contingent.
On December 30, Mashaba will cut the squad down to the official 23-man party for Equatorial Guinea.
Such has been Serero’s importance to Dutch giants Ajax Amsterdam that even their head coach Frank de Boer lamented the fact the he will be losing the services of the South African for the duration of Afcon.
“He brings a rhythm to the game and also an aggressiveness,” De Boer told the Dutch club’s official TV station.
“He wants to defend forward and that’s something we like. He is also strong on the ball in small spaces. We are very happy with him.
“It is unfortunate that he has to leave for Afcon because he is a very important link for us. We are definitely going to miss him.”
At the 1996 Afcon tournament, Mark Williams, Doctor Khumalo and Shaun Bartlett imprinted their names on the South African public with performances and goals that linger in the memory.
Subsequent to that, Benni McCarthy, Siyabonga Nomvethe and Sibusiso Zuma would go on to do the same.
In the spirit of such great names of the past, this is Serero’s time to shine.
And Mashaba has certainly made his intentions known. He is not interested in just making up the numbers. He wants Bafana to go all the way.
“We want to win the Cup,” said Mashaba.
“Often we go into these competitions and we only talk about making the next round or such like. We want to get to the final, that’s the aim.”
Goalkeepers: Darren Keet (KV Kortrijk, Belgium), Brilliant Khuzwayo, (Kaizer Chiefs), Jackson Mabokgwane (Mpumalanga Black Aces), Siyabonga Mpontshane (Platinum Stars).
Defenders: Anele Ngcongca (Racing Genk, Belgium), Eric Mathoho (Kaizer Chiefs), Patrick Phungwayo, Thabo Matlaba (both Orlando Pirates), Thulani Hlatshwayo, Siyabonga Nhlapho (both Wits), Kwanda Mngonyama (Maritzburg United), Mzikayise Mashaba (Mamelodi Sundowns), Rivaldo Coetzee (Ajax Cape Town), Ntsikelelo Nyauza (Orlando Pirates).
Midfielders: Andile Jali (KV Oostende, Belgium), Asavela Mbekile, Bongani Zungu (both Mamelodi Sundowns), Dean Furman (Doncaster Rovers, England), Oupa Manyisa (Orlando Pirates), Mandla Masango (Kaizer Chiefs), Thulani Serero (Ajax Amsterdam, Netherlands), Sibusiso Vilakazi (Wits), Thuso Phala (SuperSport United), ReneilweLetsholonyane (Kaizer Chiefs), Jabulani Shongwe (Wits), Themba Zwane (Mamelodi Sundowns), Mondli Cele (Maritzburg United), Thamsanqa Sangweni(Chippa United), Vuyisile Wana (Moroka Swallows).
Strikers: Ayanda Patosi (Lokeren, Belgium), Bongani Ndulula (AmaZulu), Bernard Parker (Kaizer Chiefs), David Zulu (Chippa United), Tokelo Rantie (Bournemouth, England) - Weekend Argus