The return of Kermit
ALMOST two years after his self-imposed exile from the national squad, striker Kermit Erasmus is back and looking forward to wearing the Bafana Bafana jersey again. In June 2015, Erasmus was called up as a replacement for Tokelo Rantie ahead of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Gambia in Durban. He snubbed the request with his tweet that he was “not a backup player”.
South Africa went on to fire blanks in that opening qualification game, and eventually failed to qualify for the tournament in Gabon earlier this year.
The rest is history. Coach Ephraim “Shakes” Mashaba was fired in November, and replaced by his assistant Owen da Gama in a caretaker capacity for this weekend’s friendly against Guinea-Bissau at the Moses Mabhida Stadium and next week’s outing against Angola in East London.
In that period Erasmus earned a move back to Europe, where he is working his way back to the form that saw him bang in 15 goals in all competitions for Orlando Pirates before the breakdown with Mashaba.
With all going smoothly in the French second division, where he turns out for table-topping Lens on loan from Stade Rennes, the forward is looking ahead to a positive return to the international scene. The timing couldn’t be better.
In June the Afcon qualifiers start with a match away to Nigeria. Coincidentally Erasmus’ last outing in Bafana Bafana colours was against the Super Eagles in 2014. “For me it’s a great opportunity to be back. I’m happy to be back in the national set-up and I’m looking forward to the two games... hopefully we can play some good entertaining football and win the games,” said Erasmus from the squad’s beachfront hotel base yesterday.
On his fall-out with Mashaba, the player said he preferred to close that chapter. “Everybody knows the reason; I don’t need to speak about why I was left out. I’m here at the moment now just to focus on the upcoming games and that’s why I’m here, to represent my country. I’ve always wanted to represent my country and I’m happy to be back. It’s all in the past. I’m here to focus on the present and try to structure the future and make sure it’s bright. It’s not about the past; it’s about me being here,” explained Port Elizabeth-born Erasmus.
He is among several players recalled to the national fold. Midfielder Kamohelo Mokotjo, who turns out for FC Twente in the Netherlands, goalkeepers Shu-Aib Walters and Darren Keet, and striker Lebogang Manyama are the others. Mokotjo also fell out with former coach Mashaba. He is back but there’s uncertainty over his eligibility to play for Bafana Bafana after he acquired Dutch citizenship last year.
However team manager Barney Kujane said that Safa had requested government assistance to look into the matter, after Mokotjo availed himself for national duty.
Da Gama also included three debutants in Kaizer Chiefs defender Lorenzo Gordinho, and attackers Phakamani Mahlambi of Wits and Luther Singh of SC Braga in Portugal.
Saturday’s meeting with Guinea-Bissau will be the first between the countries. Guinea-Bissau are ranked 19th in Africa compared to South Africa’s 13th position. Tuesday’s game at the Buffalo City Stadium will be played at 7pm.