SA coach set to ring the changes in Durban clash
YOU can expect changes from the Bafana Bafana team that will take on Cape Verde in a must win 2018 World Cup qualifier at Moses Mabhida Stadium tomorrow at 7pm.
Bafana mentor Stuart Baxter is ready to wield the axe after the disappointing loss in Praia, which has dented Bafana’s qualifying hopes for next year’s tournament in Russia.
Bafana got a reprieve when Burkina Faso and Senegal played to a goalless draw.
Burkina Faso lead the group with five points after three matches, while Senegal follow closely in second spot with four points, just ahead of SA, on goal difference.
Baxter hinted in Durban yesterday that some players will have to make way and it would appear many are likely to be sacrificed.
“I was certainly not pleased with the way we played [in Cape Verde]. We didn’t take the init Baxter reflected.
“You could very possibly see changes in the midfield and you could very possibly see changes in the back four, because of Tower [Eric Mathoho, who got a red card in Praia], in the front unit and changes in the shape of the team. You could possibly see a change with the goalkeeper and on the bench,” he hinted.
By yesterday afternoon, the Briton had suggested that the technical team could decide to bring in another centreback to replace the suspended Mathoho.
With Thulani Serero returning from a hamstring injury, he could be drafted in. “Thulani is available. He came into the camp with a hamstring strain, but very quickly within 48 hours the doctor told me he would be available.
“But I didn’t think it would be fair to the rest of the players to bring him on to the bench for the first game. He’s available for this one,” Baxter said.
The coach said he expected his team to improve dramatically for tomorrow’s clash.