BAFANA FOCUSED ON THEIR JOB
Off the field issues will have no bearing on how the team performs in the two friendlies, says coach Da Gama
THE expected return of midfielder Kamohelo Mokotjo to the Bafana Bafana set-up marks the dawn of a new era as South Africa prepare to meet Guinea Bissau in a friendly match at Moses Mabhida Stadium tomorrow.
This is the start of a “new era”, declared caretaker coach Owen da Gama. The side issues of Mokotjo’s eligibility and the match-fixing allegations surrounding South Africa’s 2-1 World Cup group qualifier victory over Senegal last year are administrative matters that won’t have a bearing on preparations for the Durban outing, and Tuesday night’s friendly against Angola in East London.
Last night the South African Football Association received an assurance from the Department of Home Affairs that Netherlands-based Mokotjo should be eligible to resume his South African citizenship.
The midfielder gave up his citizenship when he acquired Dutch papers. However, he expressed his desire to rejoin the national squad and went through the administrative process of writing a motivation to the department to resume South African nationality.
According to a statement from the department, Mokotjo’s documents should be in order by the close of business today.
Earlier this week world governing body Fifa banned Ghanaian referee Joseph Odartei Lamptey for life after he was found guilty of unlawfully influencing match results during the 2018 World Cup qualifying match between South Africa and Senegal.
“We are focusing on these two games at hand, and that’s the most important thing. Administrative things that happen off the field we don’t focus on, whether it is the weather conditions or the flying time,” said Da Gama when asked if allegations of match-fixing surrounding the November win over Senegal had affected preparations.
“That is an administrative question. Whatever happens, happens. We don’t want any distractions, so we didn’t even discuss it with the players.”
Da Gama was upbeat about the national team’s prospects and promised to give a run to several players who were called to the camp for the first time. Among them are strikers Phakamani Mahlambi and Luther Singh, and defender Lorenzo Gordinho. The attacking duo helped South Africa qualify for the Fifa U20 World Cup recently and represent the new generation that Da Gama is keen to expose in the senior set-up.
“It’s a new era. I’m here for these two games. A new coach will come in and it will be a new era for moving forward. There are so many other players that are waiting to come into the fold. Bongani Zungu in Portugal is one of them, so the competition is very high, and the door is wide open for everyone. No doubt the youngsters will get a run,” promised Da Gama.
Whether it’s against the Wild Dogs of Guinea Bissau tomorrow afternoon or against Angola at the Buffalo City Stadium on Tuesday (7pm), the coach will give everyone a run, but within a solid team structure aimed at winning the games.
That foundation comes in the form of captain Itumeleng Khune, who is set for his 83rd cap, with support from vice captains Dean Furman, Hlompho Kekana and Thulani Hlatshwayo who form the defensive core of the team. In attack the return of France-based Kermit Erasmus offers hope in terms of solving the perennial scoring crisis, while Netherlands-born target man Lars Veldwijk will offer an aerial presence.
Both games are meant as preparation for the next World Cup qualifier, away to Cape Verde in September. Before then South Africa return to competitive action with the opening qualifier for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, away to Nigeria in June. PROBABLE STARTING XI Itumeleng Khune, Ramahlwe Mphahlele, Thulani Hlatshwayo, Erick Mathoho, Lorenzo Gordinho, Hlompho Kekana, Keagan Dolly, Andile Jali, Thulani Serero, Lebohang Manyama, Kermit Erasmus