Shakes Mashaba yesterday picked a team for the future.
But in what appeared to be a complete contradiction, the Bafana Bafana coach described this month’s back-to-back 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Cameroon as must-win encounters.
South Africa face the Indomitable Lions, who top Group M after two wins from the same number of matches, in Limbe on March 26 and again three days later in Durban. Bafana were held to a goalless draw by Gambia in their opening qualifier and were hammered 3-1 by minnows Mauritania in their second game.
“I am not going to be soft about this. We have got to go there and win, home and away. Even if we win and draw, we can still qualify by being the best runners-up from our group,” Mashaba said.
Prior to naming his 25-man squad yesterday, which he will be forced to cut down to 20 because of travelling logistics, the coach lashed out at the media, who he claims have been reckless in their criticism of his selection criteria. The coach’s vitriol went as far as questioning the media’s understanding of football. However, Mashaba was at pains to explain the inclusion of five players who have been either injured or out of favour at their clubs in Itumeleng Khune, Jackson Mabokgwane, Thulani Serero, Thamsanqa Gabuza and Tokelo Rantie.
He said they are all part of the bigger picture because they have big match temperament (BMT), even when they are out of sorts. “I gave you (journalists) the criteria when we went to Equatorial Guinea (for the Nations Cup last year) and you were all so excited,” the coach said at the start of what would be a 15-minute rant about how he picks players for the national team.
“Now after you took a turn behind some walls you are saying coach, what about current form and BMT? You think we are small boys. I know you are grown ups and have got to be aware that you should never put words in people’s mouths. One of the most important points in that selection criteria was that, as a technical team, we are not going to ignore a player because the club has put him on the bench. If we know what that player can do, we will call him. Does that sound new to you? Now you don’t have an answer.”
Mashaba went on to defend his inclusion of Gabuza, who has only managed two goals in 15 matches for Orlando Pirates so far this season, and Rantie, whose English Premier League club Bournemouth decided to leave him out of their 25-man squad in January for the second half of their campaign, essentially ending his football season.
“What we are saying is that we look at the big match temperament. But in the absence of the best, at times you have to use the worst,” he said.
Goalkeepers: Itumeleng Khune, Jackson Mabokgwane, Darren Keet,
Defenders: Siyabonga Nhlapho, Asavela Mbekile, Anele Ngcongca, Thabo Matlaba, Cheslyn Jampies, Eric Mathoho, Sifiso Hlanti, Rivaldo Coetzee, Thulani Hlatshwayo
Midfielders: Andile Jali, Kamohelo Mokotjo, Thulani Serero, Themba Zwane, William Twala, Jabulani Shongwe, Mpho Makola, Mandla Masango, Hlompho Kekana
Strikers: Thamsanqa Gabuza, Prince Nxumalo, Tokelo Rantie, Dino Ndlovu - The Star