Cape Town - Bafana Bafana coach Shakes Mashaba plans to rotate the captain’s armband during the team’s 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign until he finds the right man to lead the national team.
Orlando Pirates goalkeeper Senzo Meyiwa captained the team in the last two qualifiers against Nigeria and Sudan, but he looks set to pass it onto one of his teammates, possibly defender Anele Ngcongca, for the home and away clashes against Congo Brazzaville next month.
On Thursday, Mashaba named his 26-man squad to face the Congolese team, who are on top of Group A in the qualifiers on six points after beating Nigeria and Sudan. Congo are two points ahead of Bafana, who beat Sudan 3-0 away from home and played to a goalless draw with defending African champions Nigeria in Cape Town.
Bafana would rotate captains as they were trying to “make complete players”, Mashaba said.
“If we are going to rely on one person as captain, then we are going to have problems. We are trying to see who can lead this team.
“Even if (Itumeleng) Khune is back we will rotate the armband,” said Mashaba.
The 64-year-old believes Bafana have a realistic chance of winning the clash against Congo in Pointe Noire on October 11, despite playing on artificial turf. Bafana will train on the artificial pitch at Royal Marang in the North West to prepare themselves for the tie.
“They are playing 11 boys and we are playing 11 young boys. We will look at using pace. I watched them when they played against Nigeria. They are a very good team… They are very quick going forward.
“They get the ball to the flanks, bring it back and then finish off.
“But we are not going to sit back away from home. I believe we have a realistic chance of winning the game.
“We are going to train at the Royal Marang Sports Complex. They have one of the best artificial pitches.
“We will train in the mornings because it’s too hot to train. If you have two training sessions a day, then you are killing the players.
“We were also told not to use long stud boots when we play on the artificial turf. Our players will have to travel with all sorts of studs.”
Mashaba, though, knows that playing away from home in Congo, who are in the qualifiers only because Rwanda were disqualified for using an ineligible player, will be a lot tougher than their trip to Sudan earlier this month.
“With due respect, Congo came in through the back door. I know they will do anything to win this game.”
Bafana players will go into camp next Sunday and will leave for Pointe Noire four days later.
Weekend Argus