Stuart keeps eye on ball
Coach unfazed by off-field drama
Bafana Bafana coach Stuart Baxter firmly believes that his players are in the right frame of mind for tonight’s crucial 2018 World Cup qualifier against Senegal at Peter Mokaba Stadium (7pm).
It’s been a drama-filled week for Bafana. Baxter has had to deal with the late arrival of the overseasbased players and the Thulani Serero saga.
Goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune is also facing a late fitness test to see if he’s comfortable enough with his facial injury to take on the Lions of Teranga. If he plays, he will do so with a face mask.
It also emerged yesterday that captain Thulani Hlatshwayo is almost certainly out of this clash because of a toe injury.
“I think people enjoy [the drama]. You guys [the media] enjoy it because it gives you something to write about and the fans like it because when they are sitting at the shebeen, they’ve got something to argue about. I think even the players enjoy it,” said Baxter.
“The only person who doesn’t like it is probably me. I’m sitting like a pregnant lady about to give birth and that’s the feeling you got.”
Despite all the challenges, Baxter has backed his charges to do well.
“The only thing that you’ve got to try and do is make sure you have a basic focus and a basic attitude of keeping your mind on the job ... keep yourself focused on the here and now.
“Don’t get carried away, because what happens when you get all this drama in inverted commas, you lose focus on the things that will actually win us the games.
“Despite all of that, we have still kept our eye on the ball and I think that’s really important.”
Baxter is convinced the players have gone through the “drama” and will be judged on performance.
“Now, when we play against a team like Senegal they do have good players, but I just want to see that we give a true reflection of what we can do and if they are good enough to beat us, then I will put my hand up.”