‘SA has oversupply of top midfielders’
In-form stars can’t make Bafana cut
Amid public backlash for the exclusion of in-form Orlando Pirates midfielder Xola Mlambo in the Bafana Bafana squad, it’s apparent that SA has oversupply of midfielders with the likes of Andile Jali, Siphelele Ntshangase and Tiyani Mabunda, among others, still in the picture.
After his inspiring start to the campaign, many would have expected Bafana coach Stuart Baxter to give Mlambo – who’s been labelled “the best midfielder at the moment” by Pirates assistant coach Rulani Mokwena – his maiden national team call-up for the upcoming Afcon qualifiers against Seychelles.
But the Briton has decided otherwise, preferring the likes of SuperSport’s Tebogo Mokoena and Thabo Nodada of Cape Town City instead.
The reality that impressive Mlambo, 27, is shunned even when France-based midfield duo of Keagan Dolly and Bongani Zungu is on lengthy injury lay-offs, simply points to the country’s quality regarding talented midfielders.
Some also feel that Kaizer Chiefs’ Ntshangase deserves to play for the national team, owing to his promising start to the current season.
Having amassed over 40 caps playing in the middle of the park for Bafana during his heyday, Chippa United coach Eric Tinkler reckons the current crop of midfielders have what it takes to inspire Bafana to qualify for major competitions, challenging them to show more hunger to play for big European clubs.
“Yes, we currently have many talented midfielders who are capable of taking the country to big tournaments.
“The problem is that they are not playing for big clubs, I mean European clubs. They must show their determination to play for big European teams, they must be more ambitious because they are talented,” said Tinkler.