Polokwane - Ahead of arguably the biggest match of his tenure as Bafana Bafana coach so far, coach Shakes Mashaba expressed concern at having to see two players in Dean Furman and Tebogo Langerman withdraw due to injuries earlier in the week and spent the better part of yesterday morning scrambling for replacements.
Tiyani Mabunda was quickly roped in to take Furman’s place in midfield, but finding a suitable and adequate left-back in Langerman’s absence proved a frustrating task while further down the road, Senegal - Group D leaders on this road to Russia in 2018 - were soaking up the Polokwane heat that was sprinkled with thundershowers as they prepared to maintain their winning record at the Peter Mokaba Stadium at 3pm on Saturday.
The Lions of Teranga beat Cape Verde 2-0 in Dakar last month, while Bafana were held to a 1-1 draw by Burkina Faso away in Ouagadougou.
“If you look at the players we have lost, they are our key players and we will miss them, but we are going to have subs that we hope will come to the party,” Mashaba said. “It is a blow to us as a technical team and the rest of the squad, but these are things we have no control over. What can we do?
All we have to do is hope they quickly fit into our plans.” Everyone has to come the party. The coach has been under immense pressure and the stench from missing out on next year’s Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) in Gabon just won't go away, making every World Cup qualifier a must-win.
The draw away to Burkina Faso is credible on paper, but given Mashaba is being closely watched by his bosses at Safa, who have not minced their words about wanting to see the senior men’s national team at the global showpiece, takes away from the valuable point at the Stade du 4 Aout.
Mashaba has displayed the right kind of mental attitude for this crunch game against Senegal, even politely scolding captain Thulani Hlatshwayo and winger Daine Klate for sounding timid in a press conference on Wednesday.
Despite having harsh words for the media in some of his remarks, the Bafana coach was bullish in talking up his side’s chances against a Senegal team seen as favourites to top the group and qualify for the World Cup as outright winners.
Ready for last training session ahead of tomorrow's match against Senegal pic.twitter.com/m7xp5fqOQq
— Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) November 11, 2016
“Let us stop playing second fiddle to other people,” Mashaba said, hitting back at suggestions that Senegal, led by Liverpool talisman Sadio Mane, would run riot against South Africa on Saturday afternoon.
“We need to be able to play with heart and use the brains as well. We conceded late against Burkina Faso and against Senegal in the 2015 Afcon (group stage match) because we started with fire but could not maintain that when it was tougher and was necessary. That is what we need to start teaching our players, that when it starts to pain, you need to show grit. Use the mind and complement with the heart.”
Meanwhile, although not confirmed by Mashaba, the coach had finally settled on Maritzburg United winger Deolin Mekoa as a replacement at left-back after his strong showing there during the Olympics.
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The Star