On-form players loss for Bafana

TWO overseas-based strikers not considered for recent Bafana Bafana squads have hit form in Europe in recent weeks‚ bringing into stark reality the scoring troubles of the national side.

Dino Ndlovu and Tokelo Rantie have been lauded for recent performances‚ but are unlikely to feature for the national side while Ephraim “Shakes” Mashaba remains in charge.

Both‚ it would appear‚ have lost interest in wearing the national jersey while the current regime is in charge‚ joining the likes of Kamohelo Mokotjo and Kermit Erasmus in semi-international retirement.

Ndlovu scored a brace for his Azerbaijan club Qarabag as they won a domestic cup fixture 5-0 against lowly Sabail on Saturday.

It followed a crucial winner in a top-of-the-table league clash against Qabala in midweek.

That is now six goals in 12 starts for Ndlovu with his team‚ and 24 goals in 38 starts since the beginning of last season if you include his time at Cypriot side Anorthosis Famagusta.

No other South African striker can come close to matching that mark in the Premier Soccer League or European football‚ yet Ndlovu’s last appearance for the national team was in March 2014.

Rantie netted the winner in a famous cup victory for Turkish side Genclerbirligi last week away at giants Fenerbahce.

That was his first club goal in more than two years.

He followed that up with another in the league as Genclerbirligi won 2-0 at bottom side Adanaspor on Sunday‚ the first time he has scored in backto-back club games since 2013.

Meanwhile‚ it was a barren weekend for some recently called-up Bafana players.

Andile Jali (KV Oostende)‚ Lars Veldwijk (Kortrijk) and Ayanda Patosi (Lokeren) all did not feature for their sides.

Bongani Zungu was left out of the match day squad by Portuguese side Vitoria Guimaraes‚ while Erasmus was dropped from the 18 for French Ligue 1 side Rennes.

Mokotjo played for FC Twente in their 0-0 Dutch league draw at Willem II.

Daylon Claasen returned from six weeks out through injury to play for German Bundesliga II side 1860 Munich and Lebogang Phiri came off the bench for Danish club Brondby as they drew 1-1 at Ebsjerg.

Steven Pienaar was replaced at half time as Sunderland beat Leicester City 2-1.