Former star striker Shaun Bartlett has been brought on board by coach Stuart Baxter to be part of the Bafana Bafana technical team for the two Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Seychelles.
Bartlett joined up with the squad and was present at training on Monday afternoon ahead of Saturday’s first clash against the island nation on Saturday at the FNB Stadium (3pm kickoff).
South Africa will travel to Seychelles for the return match, which takes place next week Tuesday, October 16 (2.30pm SA time).
The 45-year-old Bartlett has coached Golden Arrows and University of Pretoria, while he had a glittering career that took him from Cape Town Spurs to the likes of FC Zurich and Charlton Athletic.
“Shaun will also be joining the coaching staff on a game-by-game basis. This will give us a chance at first to see if he likes us and we in turn like him,” Baxter said at a press conference on Monday.
Bartlett scored 28 goals for Bafana in 78 matches, and his prowess in that regard will hopefully rub off on the national team this week.
Baxter’s team were unable to find the back of the net in a goalless draw with Libya at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban in their last qualifier.
Baxter has recalled the in-form Dino Ndlovu, who plays in China these days, as another striker option.
Meanwhile, the coach is still awaiting scans on injured pair Thapelo Morena and Vincent Pule.
Bafana Bafana at their first training session in preparation for the 2019 AFCON qualifier clash against Seychelles. The first leg match will take place at FNB Stadium on Saturday. Kick-off is at 3pm pic.twitter.com/XNRNnHsx7v
— Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) October 8, 2018
Bafana Bafana Squad
Goalkeepers: Itumeleng Khune, Ronwen Williams, Darren Keet.
Defenders: Ramahlwe Mphahlele, Motjeka Madisha, Thapelo Morena, Siyanda Xulu, Innocent Maela, Thulani Hlatshwayo, Sfiso Hlanti, Buhle Mkhwanazi.
Midfielders: Aubrey Modiba, Dean Furman, Teboho Mokoena, Hlompho Kekana, Sibusiso Vilakazi, Lebogang Maboe, Thabo Nodada, Kamohelo Mokotjo, Vincent Pule.
Strikers: Lebogang Phiri, Dino Ndlovu, Percy Tau, Lebo Mothiba, Phakamani Mahlambi.
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