Baxter keeps them guessing

Bafana Bafana mentor Stuart Baxter is still in two minds about his starting lineup to face Seychelles at FNB Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Bafana must win this Group E clash to possibly go top with Nigeria and Libya meeting later Friday in Kaduna.

Baxter claimed on Thursday that he had his starting XI in mind before injuries to Thapelo Morena, Vincent Pule and Sibusiso Vilakazi forced him into changes. They were replaced by Thamsanqa Mkhize, Thembinkosi Lorch and Gift Links.

“We’ve got to get on with it and that’s the name of the game,” said Baxter.

“I don’t know at this moment if the team is ready, but they will be ready by the time we get to the game.

“I think they’ve done a lot of really hard work – they’ve done good work, but one thing we’ve found challenging is the fact that a lot of the players have come off a really heavy period with the PSL. So we’ve got to try to strike that balance and you can’t run the legs off because they would be going in the game not fresh.

“We think we’ve done okay with that and that’s why Kamo [Mokotjo] did not play on Tuesday for example because he’s had a heavy schedule there [at English Championship side, Brentford]. So we have to try to be a little bit smart, but the players have certainly approached it in the right spirit,” Baxter stated.

Bar the players who are not available, Baxter is likely to play most of the players who starred in the goalless draw against Libya at Moses Mabhida Stadium last month.

Goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune is set to retain his place along the likes of Ramahlwe Mphahlele, Sifiso Hlanti, Thulani Hlatshwayo and Buhle Mkhwanazi in defence.

Central midfielders Dean Furman and Mokotjo would probably start with Percy Tau upfront, where he’s likely to be joined by Lebogang Mothiba.

It’s at right and left wing where it’s not clear at this stage who may start with Lorch, Gift Links, Lebohang Maboe and Phakamani Mahlambi capable of playing there.