PLAYER SELECTION

Shakes brought in hungry players who had the determination to succeed unlike sticking with the prestigious ones who had let the country down previously.

You simply have to look at his decision to bring in young Rivaldo Coetzee to see that this was a man who chose his squad based on merit and not reputation. His selections were also based on players he could work with, players he knew from previous national teams such as Sibusiso Khumalo and Bongani Ndulula whom he coached at Under-20 level.

His willingness to give fringe players, like Kermit Erasmus, a chance was also good and he also filled his squad with players who have a fantastic work ethic, grafters such as Andile Jali, Dean Furman and Erick Mathoho, who were best suited for the tough terrain that is the Afcon qualifiers. Overall, Shakes got a fantastic balance in his squad both offensively and defensively.