A new era dawns for Bafana Bafana this week bringing excitement and a resurgene of hope, with fresh faces and a new coach who has selected few of the old guard.
Coach Shakes Mashaba has gone with some young blood in his squad, including the like of third-choice goalkeeper Dumsani Msibi, a 19-year-old who is in matric at Holy Trinity Secondary School in Atteridgeville.
There are fears that the players may not handle the pressure of playing in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, but Mashaba is looking at the bigger picture, the future of the senior national team, which all of a sudden looks brighter than ever.
It’s a step in the right direction and while there are some sceptics who feel the squad is not experienced enough to tackle the gruelling qualifiers, this is what Bafana Bafana need – change!
For years, Bafana Bafana have been the laughing stock of world football with more or less the same group of players. There was serious need for someone to come in and make some changes, and more importantly, be brave enough to take some risks.
“It’s a very good squad,” said Itumeleng Khune, who is likely to retain his place as No1 goalkeeper ahead of his Orlando Pirates rival Senzo Meyiwa for this week’s qualifier against Sudan.
“I think everyone who has been called up deserves it,” said Khune.
“We have all been working hard for our respective teams. We need to respect the coach’s decision to bring in the players that he did. He has a vision, which is 2022, so he has already put his plans on the table.
“We just need to support him and the players who have been called up just need to go out there and do the job for the country.
“I believe we can do well (in the qualifiers).”
Some of the Bafana players, like Khune, will go into camp today to start preparing for the opening Cup of Nations qualifier against Sudan in Khartoum on Friday.
Mashaba has not announced who his captain will be going forward. Khune has been captain for the past two years and is unsure if Mashaba will hand him the armband. But he has pledged to give his best for the country, even if he is not named skipper.
“I can’t control the coach’s plans. All I need to do is work hard. I will do my best for my country, with or without the armband,” the goalkeeper said.
Khune’a coach at Kaizer Chiefs, Stuart Baxter, believes the player will still be a leader in the team whether or not he is handed the armband.
“Itu is a good pro. He comes here and works his socks off and goes to the national team and does the same,” said Baxter.
“It does not matter if they make him captain or not – he will still be a leader. What Shakes and I want is 11 captains on the field. There will be one wearing the armband, but everybody will be prepared to take responsibility and be a soldier.”
To prepare for the clash against Bafana, Sudan will play a friendly match against 2012 Africa Cup of Nations winners Zambia in Lusaka today.
Sudan, ranked 115th in the latest Fifa rankings, are quite a tricky side and certainly will give Mashaba a lot to think about in his first match in charge.
Bafana squad
Goalkeepers: Itumeleng Khune, Senzo Meyiwa, Dumisani Msibi
Defenders: Buhle Mkhwanazi, Thulani Hlatshwayo, Thabo Matlaba, Ramahlwe Mphahlele, Ayabulela Magqwaka, Mulomowandau Mathoho, Anele Ngcongca, Rivaldo Coetzee, Sibusiso Khumalo
Midfielders: Themba Zwane, Sibusiso Vilakazi, Oupa Manyisa, Andile Jali, Dean Furman, Ayanda Patosi, Keagan Dolly, Mandla Masango, Kamohelo Mokotjo
Strikers: Tokelo Rantie, Bongani Ndulula, David Zulu, Bongi Ntuli