The frustration game
CAPTAIN: HLATSHWAYO GIVEN JOB
Coach aims to give Nigeria a nightmare in Afcon qualifier.
Bafana Bafana coach Stuart Baxter is working on a plan to frustrate Nigeria’s Super Eagles in a Caf Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Uyo on Saturday.
South Africa will be underdogs against a Nigeria side full of Europe-based stars and currently unbeaten under German coach Gernot Rohr, who took over in August.
“What I have received on Nigeria is that offensively they are very strong and defensively they work really hard,” he said yesterday.
“The way we will play is trying to be the biggest nightmare they don’t want. Sometimes it’s not about playing your best move, but one your opponent doesn’t want.”
Baxter added yesterday that Bidvest Wits defender Thulani Hlatshwayo would be the captain and that there would be no rotation of the armband, as happened at times under previous coach Shakes Mashaba.
“The captain will be Tyson (Thulani) Hlatshwayo. He has all the qualities you want in a captain. He is playing regularly and starring for his team. He is a strong character and now has experience of continental football and he leads by example. I like centrebacks that are in the thick of things.”
Baxter did not have all his players available yesterday as they started training, with seven men nursing injuries.
“It’s been a punishing year for the players because of the tight schedule we have,” said Baxter of the injuries. Lebogang Manyama, Aubrey Ngoma, Rivaldo Coetzee, Anjile Jali, Tokelo Rantie, Tiyani Mabunda and Erick Mathoho are all being monitored. Midfielder Kamohelo Mokotjo and Hlompho Kekana have already been withdrawn because of injuries, with Lebogang Phiri and Tiyani Mabunda taking their places.
“I cannot lie and say I will put out the team which I visualised because we have had two major withdrawals. But the team we put out should be a team proud of wearing the shirt, the badge,” said Baxter.
“I would have liked to have all our players on the field in training before the trip. This is not a perfect situation. We have very little time compared to Nigeria who have had three weeks of camp in France. We need to maximise our time.”