City trio are key to countries’ chances
IT IS PECULIAR how often something that happens during a period of necessity turns out to be a real masterstroke: for example, Cape Town City coach Benni McCarthy’s shifting of left-back Edmilson Dove to the centre of defence.
It was supposed to be just a stopgap measure, but the Mozambican has been so good that McCarthy has retained the player as a centre-back.
The situation arose when McCarthy was dealing with an injury and suspension crisis to his central defenders. He then opted to play the classy, composed Mozambican lefty at centre-back – and the player has performed excellently in his new role.
In fact, he did so well McCarthy used Edmilson in the centre in last weekend’s 3-1 victory over Black Leopards and, again, the Mozambican was outstanding.
And, after that victory, Edmilson left to join his Mozambican teammates for Sunday’s 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifier against Zambia. Mozambique’s group is still tight and any of the four countries can still qualify – GuineaBissau and Namibia are both on seven points, with Mozambique and Zambia both on four.
So, for Edmilson and his countrymen, there’s a lot to play for.
City have three players involved this weekend: Thamsanqa Mkhize (South Africa), Edmilson and Allan Kateregga (Uganda).
City captain Mkhize is in the Bafana Bafana squad for tomorrow’s all-important fixture against Nigeria at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg. As it stands in the group, Nigeria’s Super Eagles lead the way with nine points, followed by Bafana on eight, Libya four and Seychelles one point. Victory for the South Africans will ensure a place at the continental showpiece in Cameroon next year.
Right-back Mkhize has been in supreme form for City this season. His contribution to the team was again highlighted when he was named as the Man of the Match in City’s win over Black Leopards.
Bafana Bafana coach Stuart Baxter has, however, consistently preferred Kaizer Chiefs right-back Ramahlwe Mphahlele.
The match against Nigeria should be no different – but Mkhize, as is his nature, will offer support, whether he’s on the bench or in the stands. If called on to play, though, he will, as always, give the coach and his teammates his best: he doesn’t know any other way.
Kateregga scored his first goal for City in the win over Leopards, so he links up with Uganda in high spirits for tomorrow’s qualifier at home to Cape Verde.
The Ugandan Cranes are on the verge of booking a seat on the plane to Cameroon. As the group stands, Uganda are comfortably out in front with 10 points, followed by Tanzania with five, Cape Verde on four and Lesotho have two points: so just a point should do for Kateregga’s Uganda.
The left-footer arrived in the Mother City in January this year. City had identified their attack as a department to be beefed up and, with the addition of Kateregga, Gift Links, Riyaad Norodien and Siphelele Mthembu, they believed they had the players to improve the offensive side of their game.
The Ugandan, though, took a while to settle down. Known as the “Dancing Rasta”, Kateregga has only recently been getting regular game time – and, last Sunday, he turned in a solid, hardworking performance in the win against Leopards. His goal was the result of some superb play by City; they strung together 20 passes which swept the length of the field – and Kateregga was the man at the end of it all to steer the ball into the net. Buoyed by his goal and performance for City at the weekend, the 24-year-old winger is confident Uganda can seal qualification for the 2019 Afcon this weekend.