Johannesburg – It’s been a tense fortnight for Bafana Bafana coach Shakes Mashaba, pictured , with injuries to players hindering his preparations for the Cosafa Cup tournament in the North West.
Mashaba was forced to make three changes to his squad following injuries to Polokwane City duo, Cole Alexander and Puleng Tlolane, as well as SuperSport United youngster Athenkosi Dlala.
Mashaba and his technical team brought in Platinum Stars pair, Tlou Segolela and Mduduzi Nyanda, as well as SuperSport’s Lebogang Manyama to the squad.
The trio will do duty for the national team when they take on Botswana in the quarter-finals of the tournament at the Moruleng Stadium, near Rustenburg, today.
Segolela, who returns to the national team after a lengthy absence, says the call-up is a morale-booster. And, surprisingly, it came after he had parted ways with former team Orlando Pirates.
“The call-up came after I had left Pirates, that’s the interesting part about the game,” said Segolela.
“But I won’t be playing to prove anything to anyone. The call-up is a good thing for my confidence as a player.”
“Today’s game will be tough. The match against Malawi showed where we are in terms of our preparation and I think it was good for the team.”
Mpumalanga Black Aces shot-stopper Jackson Mabokgwane, on the other hand, who was part of Mashaba’s team that did duty in this year’s Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea, says he enjoys being part of the national team set-up.
And, he adds, he will grab the opportunity with both hands, as he likes the fact that no one is guaranteed a start in the team. On top of that, he is willing to fight for his position.
“This is a great opportunity. It is a good thing that no one is guaranteed a place in the starting line-up. I want to stamp my authority in the team, though.
“We want to be in the final and win the tournament,” said the Aces ’keeper.
Meanwhile, Botswana coach, Peter Butler, will be relying on some of his players who ply their trade in the Absa Premier League (PSL) to overcome the South Africans.
The likes of Joel Mogorosi (Bloemfontein Celtic), Mogogi Gabonamong (Bloemfontein Celtic), Kabelo Dambe (Platinum Stars), Mogakolodi Ngele (Mamelodi Sundowns) make up a stable Zebras team who have knowledge of the Bafana players.
They will be looking to upset Mashaba’s team, though they haven’t been victorious against Bafana in their last four meetings.
Bafana have won three of those games with one draw.
South Africa will be looking to add their fourth Cosafa Cup title, after winning the Championship three times – in 2002, 2007 and 2008. – The Sunday Independent