Bafana Bafana coach Stuart Baxter was forced to mix and match and select a squad of mainly unknown players for next weekend’s Cosafa Cup Group A clash against Seychelles in Mauritius.
In announcing his squad on Friday, Baxter named 19 players — to be cut to 18 — with an average age of 21. But goalkeeper Brian Baloyi (30) of Mamelodi Sundowns will lend experience to ”Baxter’s Babes” when they take on Seychelles next Saturday. Baloyi has 21 caps.
Baxter has also recalled former South Africa Under-23 skipper Matthew Booth, who will be keen to stake a place in the Bafana squad to play Uganda at home in the next World Cup qualifier on March 26.
The Bafana coach has included a number of the South Africa Under-20 team who won the Cosafa Cup last year under Baxter’s assistant, Steve Komphela, who is expected to be the driving force behind the new-look Bafana squad next weekend.
”This is a developmental squad,” said Baxter. ”I was forced to choose a lot of players unknown previously because this competition is run on a date not recognised by Fifa. Therefore, clubs are not obliged to release their players. Most PSL [Premier Soccer League] clubs who have Absa Cup games next weekend did not help.
”However, Dynamos were the exception by releasing their striker Sandile Ndlovu as they realise the importance of him getting international experience.”
Ndlovu, the PSL top goal-scorer, and defender Thabiso Rammile both played in last week’s 1-1 friendly international draw against Australia in Durban. An interesting selection is that of Kaizer Chiefs’ South Africa Under-17 cap Lawrence Tlou Molekwane.
Baxter added: ”It is a big challenge. If we lose, then we will be criticised, but I have no option but to go for youth. It will help us see what we have in regards for the South Africa Under-23 squad for the Beijing Olympics in 2008 and how many of these players will be available for the 2010 World Cup finals.”
The Englishman said that Komphela will be doing most of the work in training and coaching the squad.
”It would be pointless to bring in a development squad and not help to develop coaches. This is the ideal opportunity to give Steve his chance to coach the national squad.”
Baxter appealed to the organisers of the Cosafa Cup to stage the tournament on Fifa-approved dates.
”I am not saying I would field my top side, but at least it would help get players released. Also playing two matches in two days is tough on the players. The format should be looked at.”
The other two teams in Bafana’s group are Mauritius and Madagascar. The two winners meet in the group final on Sunday, with the winner going through to the final group to be played in August. — Sapa
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Brian Baloyi (Mamelodi Sundowns), Tladi Mathibi (Kaizer Chiefs)
Defenders: Matthew Booth (Krylya Sovetos Samara, Russia), Robyn Johannes (University of Pretoria), Lucas Thwala (Orlando Pirates), Thabiso Rammile (Sundowns), Jeffrey Ntuka (KVC Westerlo, Belgium), Lefa Mogalia (Silver Stars)
Midfielders: Siyabonga Siphika (Manning Rangers), Junior Khanya (Kaizer Chiefs), Rowen Hendricks (Rostov, Russia), Lance Davids (1860 Munich, Germany), Cyril Zuma (Maritzburg United), Joseph Mthombeni (Sundowns)
Strikers: Lerato Shabangu (University of Pretoria), Thando Mngomeni (Helsinborg, Sweden), Katlego Mphela RC Strasbourg, France), Sandile Ndlovu (Dynamos) and Lawrence Tlou Molekwane (Chiefs)