Baxter goes the tried and tested route
FIRST SQUAD: BAXTER STICKS TO THE TRIED-AND-TESTED
New Bafana coach made few changes to his squad yesterday for the Afcon qualifier against Nigeria in Uyo on June 10.
Cape Town City’s Aubrey Ngoma given a national call-up.
Stuart Baxter refrained from sweeping a new broom right through the Bafana Bafana squad as he named his 25-man selection yesterday for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Nigeria in Uyo on June 10.
South Africa’s new head coach has barely been in charge long enough to draw breath and take stock of his options, especially as he is currently the wearer of two hats, juggling the Bafana job along with leading SuperSport United.
So it is hardly a surprise that he has mainly stuck with the regulars for the Super Eagles clash. There are eight changes in total from the March friendlies against Angola and Guinea-Bissau, but only Cape Town City’s Aubrey Ngoma can be considered new to the Bafana fray.
“In thinking how much I can change in the direction I want to go, I would be a fool to do everything in one squad … it is important you don’t throw the baby out with the bath water,” said the Bafana coach yesterday.
The changes Baxter has made are also difficult to argue with in terms of form and fitness. Thulani Serero has been dropped after a season where he was not even included in the Ajax Amsterdam first team squad. The Bafana coach said he had spoken to Serero about his decision.
“I have had contact with him (Serero) and notified him that I don’t think it is fair on him and the rest of the squad (to call him up) when he has only had 800 minutes of top-flight football over the last year,” said Baxter.
“I did tell him I think he is one of our biggest talents, and I am sure that once he has a new address (club) I am going to be picking him.”
Midfielder Bongani Zungu, on the other hand, has been rewarded for his performances in Portugal with Vitoria de Guimaraes.
“I have heard great reports about Zungu, I know a lot of people here think (it’s only) Guimaraes, but if he plays well against Benfica or Porto then he is playing well. I am interested to see how far he has come. I saw him when I was here the first time, he can play in a couple of positions and that is also interesting for us.”