Bafana defence needs Gould-en touch

RUSTENBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - MAY 28, Morgan Gould during the South African National soccer team gym session and press conference from the Royal Marang Sports Complex on May 28, 2012 in Rustenburg, South Africa Photo by Lee Warren / Gallo Images

RUSTENBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - MAY 28, Morgan Gould during the South African National soccer team gym session and press conference from the Royal Marang Sports Complex on May 28, 2012 in Rustenburg, South Africa Photo by Lee Warren / Gallo Images

Published May 31, 2012

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Morgan Gould has admitted that the loss of central defensive partner Siyabonga Sangweni for the upcoming 2014 Fifa World Cup qualifiers is a “very big blow” for Bafana Bafana.

Sangweni’s absence from the games against Ethiopia on Sunday (Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace, kick-off 3pm) and Botswana on June 9 with an ankle injury was confirmed on Thursday, with Sundowns centre back Siyanda Xulu called up as a replacement. Moroka Swallows’ Luvengo Mungomeni was believed to be Pitso Mosimane’s first choice to replace Sangweni in the squad, but the Swallows defender is currently on the Birds’ tour of China.

Sangweni and Gould have formed a superb partnership in the heart of the Bafana defence since first teaming up for the goalless draw in Cairo in an African Nations Cup qualifier in Egypt almost exactly a year ago.

“It’s a very big blow, with the capabilities of Siyabonga, he has always been doing well,” said Gould.

“But as it is the national team, I know whoever replaces him will do a good job … whether it’s Bongani (Khumalo), (Siyanda) Xulu or (Eric) Matoho, they know there is a position at stake.”

Khumalo is the man who is almost certain to partner Gould against Ethiopia, restoring a partnership that was together for Bafana’s home game against Egypt in March 2011, and also played in a friendly against Senegal at the end of March this year. The good news for Bafana fans is that in both those games, South Africa did not concede a single goal.

Khumalo and Gould also have plenty of experience playing together from their time at SuperSport United.

“We have been together for quite a time in the national team, so we know a whole lot about each other,” said Gould. “I know his strengths and weaknesses and he knows mine, so it’s just about gelling again.”

The one major problem for Khumalo is that he has a distinct lack of first team football since signing for Tottenham Hotspur at the start of this season. Loan moves to Preston North End and Reading in the Championship did not really work out, but given his experience, having also played in the 2010 World Cup finals, he remains Mosimane’s best option.

Gould has just sealed a major money move to Kaizer Chiefs for next season, but simply refused to discuss that on Wednesday, preferring to concentrate on international duty. “When I am here for national duty I switch off everything and focus,” he said.

“I’ve already put that chip in my head … after the national team camp I will start speaking about where I am at (with Chiefs).”

Ethiopia are expected in the country on Thursday, and include among their ranks former SuperSport United and Orlando Pirates striker Tefera Fikru, who played with Gould in his time at Matsatsantsa. “I think everyone knows about Fikru, he wouldn’t have gone to SuperSport and Pirates and overseas if he was not a good striker. He is very aggressive and fights a lot. Hopefully we can keep him out of the game.”

Fikru’s last recorded club was Vietnamese side Thanh Hoa, and he is one of two members of the Ethiopian squad who plays overseas, along with Egypt-based striker Saladin Said of Wadi Delgla FC.

Said netted twice in one of Ethiopia’s best results of late, a 2-2 draw at home to Nigeria in the 2012 African Nations Cup qualifiers. Bafana, however, will be heavy favourites, with Gould expecting a fairly open game in Phokeng on Sunday.

“We know they are a very open playing team, they are good runners, it’s within their nature,” said Gould. “That is the way we like it, if the game is open. We must give the best we have and go for the.” – The Star

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