Erasmus tipped to get back into Bafana

Bafana Bafana’s all-time leading goal-scorer Benni McCarthy has backed striker Kermit Erasmus to force his way back into the national team just in time for this year’s Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) in Egypt.

Erasmus has played very little football over the past three seasons owing to unsuccessful stints at European clubs since leaving Orland Pirates for France in 2015.

The Port Elizabeth-born striker is on a mission to regain full match fitness and resurrect his career since he joined Cape Town City on a threeyear contract in December.

Since his move to Cape Town‚ Erasmus has contributed two goals in five appearances in all competitions‚ both coming in his last two games‚ as he rediscovers his scoring touch while getting vital playing time.

Cape Town City coach McCarthy said Erasmus had set himself a goal to return to Bafana and was working hard towards that.

“He wants to get himself fully fit and ready and I think he has got the qualities to mix it up [in the national team]‚” McCarthy said.

Bafana play Libya in neighbouring Tunisia in their final Afcon qualifying match needing to avoid defeat to qualify for the 24-nation tournament to be staged in Egypt from June 21 to July 19.

That game may come too soon for Erasmus, but McCarthy revealed that the striker certainly harboured ambitions of cracking the nod for Baxter’s final Afcon squad. –