England-based star midfielder Quinton Fortune’s days in exile are over.
Fortune, a nimble left-footed player, has shunned Bafana Bafana for more than a year after being described by former Bafana Bafana coach Shakes Mashaba as being unpatriotic for failing to honour the World Cup bid match against England in Durban last May.
Mashaba did not single out Fortune but he was part of the overseas contingent that failed to honour their call-ups. But Fortune took Mashaba’s comment personally and he switched off his cellphone.
But new coach Stuart Baxter, who took over the reigns in May, recalled the industrious midfielder to his squad for an international friendly against Tunisia in Tunis on August 18.
The coach had to fly to England, where he had a pep talk with the Capetonian who plays for Manchester United.
Baxter, who also had the opportunity to see Thando Mngomeni in Sweden, said Fortune vehemently denied having shunned Bafana Bafana.
”He said he had personal problems. I think he was honest,” said Baxter after including the player’s name on his list of 20 men. ”He seemed very optimistic and I was happy.”
Baxter’s squad seems like a balanced one. Most of the players that he selected boast international experience.
He made few changes to the team that beat Burkina Faso 2-0 in the African Nations Cup and World Cup qualifier at the FNB Stadium two months ago.
Baxter said he would build from the core of that team and use the friendly against the African Cup of Nations champions to evaluate players’ performances.
Bafana’s next qualifier for Germany and Egypt in 2006 will be an away game against the Democratic Republic of Congo on September 5.
”The game against Burkino Faso was a step in the right direction. Results are important but we need to use this game to improve their understanding of each other and that of what we need,” he said.
”I also want to test some younger players at the top level and assess their progress. We are also weighing development against results.”
The little-known Jeffrey Ntuka forms part of the squad announced on Thursday.
Baxter said his scouts told him that the 21-year-old defender, who is based in Belgium, was impressive during AmaGlug-Glug’s (South African under-23) international friendly against Venezuela’s senior team in May.
Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper Rowan Fernandez and Santos midfielder Tyrone Arendse were also included while striker Siyabonga Nomvethe and defender Jacob Lekgetho were omitted due to their lack of fitness.
Styles Phumo, Steve Komphela and Stanley Tshabalala are part of the technical team.
South African Football Association CEO Albert Mokoena announced that the friendly will be televised live on SABC1 at 10pm (South African time).
He said Bafana, who depart on Saturday, will meet up with the overseas-based players in Paris on Sunday. The whole team will then proceed to Tunisia on August 16. — Sapa
Bafana squad:
Goalkeepers: Hans Vonk (Ajax Amsterdam, Holland) and Rowan Fernandez (Kaizer Chiefs)
Defenders: Bradley Carnell (Monchengladback, Germany), Nasief Morris (Panathinaikos, Greece), Aaron Mokoena (Genk, Belgium), Mbulelo Mabizela (Tottenham Hostspurs, England), Lucky Lekgwathi (Orlando Pirates, SA), Jeffrey Ntuka (KVC Westerlo, Belgium)
Midfielders: Steven Pienaar (Ajax Amsterdam, Holland), Japhet Zwane (Rostov, Russia), Tyrone Arendse (Santos, SA), Quinton Fortune (Manchester, England), Delron Buckley (DSC Arminia Bielefeld, Germany), Benedict Vilakazi (Orlando Pirates SA), Elrio van Heerden (FC Copenhagen, Denmark), McBeth Sibaya (Rubin Kazan, Russia) and Lans Davids (1860 Munich)
Strikers: Thando Mngomeni (Helsingborgs Sweden), Benedict McCarthy (FC Porto, Portugal) and Shaun Bartlett (Charlton Athletic, England)