Rantie to skip Cup qualifier

STUART Baxter tried hard not to say it in those exact words‚ but Tokelo Rantie has snubbed Bafana Bafana for their huge must-win World Cup qualifiers against Senegal next month.

As Baxter announced his squad at Safa House in Nasrec yesterday morning‚ Rantie’s name was the notable absence.

The Bafana coach said he had been in contact with Rantie‚ who had expressed unhappiness at not being named in Baxter’s previous squad that beat Burkina Faso 3-1 at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg on October 7‚ and said he needed space to think about his international career.

Rantie missed Turkish club Genclerbirligi’s last league game injured on the weekend‚ but Baxter said that was not the reason for the striker’s omission.

“No‚ he’s available. The last time I sat here and named a squad, I gave the reasons why Tokelo was not in the squad‚” Baxter said.

“That was that he’d just come off a three-game suspension [for his club]‚ his coach was playing him as a winger‚ and I wasn’t 100% satisfied with his performance against Cape Verde.

“Given those reasons‚ I had a conversation with Tokelo where he wasn’t that happy with that.

“He was explaining some of the problems he’s had [in Turkey]‚ and how he’s not feeling too good and he wants some space to think about both his international career and his career in Turkey‚ and if he should try and get back into Bafana or move on.

“So I’ve just decided that this is not the right time [to call him].”

Baxter was asked to clarify if Rantie had turned down a Bafana call-up.

“When I spoke to Tokelo, he was disappointed that he wasn’t called up last time‚” Baxter said.

“And he sent me a text saying: ‘Look‚ I think it’s best if‚ no matter how I’m playing‚ I don’t join up in this one’.”

Meanwhile, Baxter recalled Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Siphiwe Tshabalala to face Senegal.

Baxter said the 33-year-old Tshabalala’s return was based on his outstanding form and clearly not seen as a long-term plan‚ but more as a need to call up an in-form player who can bring quality to his squad for two games South Africa have to win.

Captain Thulani Hlatshwayo‚ injured for the Burkina Faso game‚ has been recalled.

The squad is: