Last throw of dice for Baxter?
SURPRISES: COACH BRINGS IN BVUMA AND VELDWIJK
Stuart Baxter’s Bafana Bafana squad announcement yesterday did not go without criticism, and had a few surprise inclusions, but the Briton was happy with his selection ahead of the all-important Caf Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifier against Libya.
Bafana need just a point in their game, set for Taieb Mhiri Stadium in Sfax, Tunisia on March 24, to qualify for the Afcon in Egypt in June.
Baxter would have obviously wished to go into this ‘war’ with all his warriors fit but he has a few out with injuries, most notably goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune of Kaizer Chiefs and attacking midfielder Sibusiso Vilakazi of Mamelodi Sundowns. He did however call two of his tried and trusted soldiers in Bongani Zungu and Keagan Dolly who have just recovered from injuries.
Explaining the inclusion of the two, Baxter said they had been in contact with their clubs to follow their progress and decided to bring them on board to have a closer look.
“We have had a few of our players out with long-term injuries, probably six or seven … we have two who are now fit but we don’t know how fit they are. We have got Keagan Dolly and Bongani Zungu and we have been in constant contact with their respective clubs about their recovery.
“Our doctor has been speaking to their medical departments and both are clinically fit and are training in full and they had minutes in their reserve teams.
“But I don’t know if being clinically fit and having minutes in the reserve team qualifies you to play in such an important game. Undoubtedly if they are 100% fit and looking sharp, their quality will be welcome. I asked that they come so we can do further analysis,” said Baxter yesterday as he announced his squad.
Should the duo not pass fitness tests, Baxter will still have plenty of options with the likes of Thembinkosi Lorch, Lebogang Maboe Themba Zwane, Percy Tau and Thulani Serero in good form in their clubs both locally and overseas.
There were however two surprise selections that Baxter made which got people talking – young Chiefs goalkeeper Bruce Bvuma and striker Lars Veldwijk.
On Bvuma, Baxter said: “Bvuma has been in our systems before. We know him and Molefi (Ntseki) and I watched him this past weekend and he was rock-solid. There are many in-form players but I have to look at it for the longterm.”
And on Veldwijk: “I know I have previously said I have not worked with Lars and I want players I have worked with. But in this case, I think he might have an important role to play off the bench.”