Stuart Baxter need not worry too much about his team scoring goals in the last round of the 2006 African Nations and World Cup qualifiers.
The Bafana Bafana coach has unearthed a gem in the young and talented Katlego Mphela. The former Jomo Cosmos player made his debut for the senior national team last weekend in the Confederation of Southern African Football Association (Cosafa) Cup in Mauritius.
The 20-year-old striker, who now plays for Strasbourg in the French league, scored three goals over the weekend. The first two came in the first match against Seychelles, which Bafana Bafana won 3-0, and his third goal came against Mauritius in the 1-0 victory.
Those three strikes took South Africa to the semifinals of the Cosafa Cup in August.
Strangely enough, Mphela did not play for the senior Cosmos side while at the club. He was spotted by Strasbourg when the Cosmos under-19 team was participating in a tournament in France.
Strasbourg signed the youngster from Brits for one year as a trainee, with an option of a three-year professional contract if he did well.
Mphela did not disappoint and has scored six goals in 27 matches for his new team. His pace, skill and eye for goal have earned him the nickname ”Killer” at Strasbourg.
The newcomer will be competing with seasoned Bafana Bafana strikers for a place in the starting XI in the African and World Cup qualifiers at the end of the month.
Baxter told the Mail & Guardian: ”Mphela has a lot of potential and is a modern striker who is quick, mobile and has a nose for goals.”
The national team now has a glut of proven goalscorers in Delron Buckley (leading goalscorer in Germany, but played as midfielder by Bafana Bafana), Benni McCarthy, Shaun Bartlett, Thando Mngomeni, Siya-bonga Nomvete, Sandile Ndlovu and Sibusiso Zuma — as well as Mphela.
Baxter said he hoped to improve the team by getting them to be more efficient and clinical in their finishing. The Bafana Bafana coach wants his team to win games by more than just one goal.
Baxter will use the Cosafa Cup to develop young players and the core of the squad that played against Seychelles and Mauritius will be used throughout the tournament.