Bafana’s Mokotjo blow
GOING UNDER THE KNIFE: MIDFIELDER NEEDS OPERATIONS ON WRIST, KNEE
Baxter brings Phiri into his squad to face the Nigerians.
Kamohelo Mokotjo will play no part in Bafana Bafana’s 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Nigeria in Uyo on June 10. The South African Football Association confirmed yesterday that Mokotjo will have to have a knee operation and would be unavailable for the clash with the Super Eagles.
The news is a blow to new Bafana coach Stuart Baxter, who selected the 26-year-old midfielder on Thursday in his first Bafana squad since his re-appointment as South Africa’s head coach. Baxter thought Mokotjo only needed an operation on his hand, but now, according to Safa, he needs surgery on both his wrist and his knee.
Mokotjo’s place in the Bafana squad has been taken by 22-yearold Lebogang Phiri, who has had a fine season in Denmark with Brondby.
Phiri made his debut for Bafana in a friendly against Swaziland in March 2015 and scored his first Bafana goal against the same opposition in the 2016 Cosafa Cup semifinal. But he has yet to feature for his country in an Africa Cup of Nations or World Cup qualifier.
Baxter is at least blessed with options in central midfield to make Mokotjo’s absence a little easier to take, with the likes of Bongani Zungu, Hlompho Kekana, Dean Furman and Andile Jali also in the squad. The Bafana coach, like many before him, is less blessed in attack, which helps explain a recall for Orlando Pirates striker Thamsanqa Gabuza.
“If we go through the league, is there anyone sure to score goals? It has been an issue in South Africa for some time,” said Baxter.
“We don’t produce 25-goals-aseason strikers, it is an issue we have to work on at club and youth level – the national team can’t sign players.”
Nigeria, on paper, have a far more potent side than Bafana, with the likes of Chelsea’s Victor Moses and Manchester City’s Kelechi Iheanacho in their ranks. Baxter is the only Bafana coach to beat Nigeria, but that was against a severely weakened Super Eagles side in the Nelson Mandela Challenge in Johannesburg in 2004.
“When looking at them, it is a bit like a Who’s Who of the Premier League stars of African football,” acknowledged Baxter.
“But does that always translate into a good team? No it doesn’t. You don’t know if a coach can mould them into a fighting unit.”