Bafana Bafana will leave for Swaziland today without three members of the original 30-man squad that was initially announced for this week’s two international friendlies.
And Shakes Mashaba was seething at what he clearly views as an agenda by some sections of the media against him and promised to prove to the doubting Thomases he is the right man to lead the country’s senior national side.
Injuries have forced May Mahlangu and Anele Ngcongca out of the squad that will play against Swaziland at Somhlolo Stadium tomorrow night before taking on Nigeria in Mbombela on Sunday.
Dean Furman, on the other hand, has been excused at the request of his club Doncaster Rovers who are chasing a promotional play-off spot in the English Championship. Mahlangu, who plays for Turkish side Konyaspor, honoured the call-up and after assessment team medico Dr Thulani Ngwenya declared the player, who was previously said to be banned from the squad, unfit.
“He has fractured his right foot bone and he is on a cast. He will be out of action for at least two weeks,” Ngwenya explained before adding that Belgium-based Ngcongca was also out. “We got a letter from Anele’s club informing us that he is in rehabilitation for an Achilles tendon injury and he is therefore out. But we are awaiting results of an MRI scan from his club.”
Mashaba was happy that Mahlangu made the trip home and appreciative of the fact Ngcongca and Furman’s clubs communicated with them.
“We appreciate that May came down because some people are sensitive about sending their players on a long trip for fear of them aggravating their injuries. But we did not want to cloud the issue with him by discussing reasons for his previous failure to honour our call-up,” Mashaba said of the player who was ‘banned indefinitely’ from future call-ups by Safa CEO Dennis Mumble after he failed to turn up for a Nations Cup qualifier.
“We stated long ago how important it is that clubs talk to us (about players being unavailable). It is much better than absconding and we accept that Anele’s club have been in touch. Dean’s club made a request and we looked at it and accepted but this does not mean we’re always going to accept.”
Without these three seasoned players, Bafana may appear to be weakened somewhat. But Mashaba feels their absence is an opportunity to try out new combinations and give some players a chance to show what they can give to the national team.
“We know what May, Dean and Anele can do. So this gives us a chance to test the others who have not played regularly before. We planned well because there is now no need to bring in replacements. We had a squad of 30 players.”
Mashaba is hoping to use tomorrow’s clash with Swaziland to gauge his players’ mindset.
“The problem with players is that they tend to look at the opposition and gauge them based on their standing. We want to test the player’s minds and attitude against Swaziland. We’d love for them to realise that what’s most important is not to look at who is in front you but rather to respect every opposition.”
Having been in a jovial mood throughout the hastily-arranged conference at the squad’s hotel, Mashaba then delivered a sting in the tail before heading for training.
“I am Ephraim Mashaba. Those who still doubt my qualities to coach the national team are wasting their time,” he said “People are still questioning whether am I the right person to coach this team. Who is the right person? Who is the right person to coach this team? I am a South African by nature. I deserve to be here. My colour doesn’t stop me from coaching the national team. I want people to know that. It is one section (that is doubting me), I will deal with it in time. Thank you.” - The Star