No big Bafana changes likely

IT looks like Bafana Bafana coach Stuart Baxter is not going to fix what is not broken in terms of his starting side for tomorrow’s 2018 World Cup qualifier against Senegal at the Peter Mokaba Stadium (7pm).

He is likely to stick with most of the players from the team that beat Burkina Faso 3-1 at the FNB Stadium last month.

Baxter focused on his defence yesterday.

Morgan Gould and Clayton Daniels were partnered in central defence, while Thamsanqa Mkhize and Sifiso Hlanti manned the right and left back positions respectively.

All these defenders started against Burkina Faso.

There could be a change in goal, however.

Itumeleng Khune played in the last match, but Baxter is not sure if he will be available.

The Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper has a face fracture which has also affected his right eye.

It appears that Wayne Sandilands will get the nod if Khune does not make it.

“We worked a bit on our defensive structure and will be working more on a 11 v 11 [today],” Baxter said yesterday.

“Itu has done coordination work to test his vision and he will be getting his [face] mask [by late yesterday] to see if there’s any possibility at all [of him playing],” he said.

It appears that Dean Furman is going to partner Kamohelo Mokotjo in central midfield with the likes of Percy Tau, Themba Zwane, and Sibusiso Vilakazi completing the attack.

Meanwhile, the SA Football Association (Safa) has come to Mulomowandau Mathoho’s rescue by paying his Fifa fine to make him eligible for the match, but he will have to pay back the money.

The Kaizer Chiefs centreback was slapped with a two-game suspension, which he has served, and fined 5 000 Swiss francs (R70 000) for his red card in Bafana’s 2-1 loss to Cape Verde in September.

Safa will reportedly pay midfielder Bongani Zungu’s R70 000 fine, after he was sent off against Burkina Faso last month, because he was not necessarily reckless in his actions.

Zungu is suspended for one match, so he will sit out tomorrow’s match.