Rantie shuns Bafana call-up for Senegal tie

Forward asked to be given time to ponder his future

STUART Baxter tried hard not to say it in those exact words‚ but Tokelo Rantie has snubbed Bafana Bafana for their huge mustwin World Cup qualifiers against Senegal next month.

As Baxter announced his squad at Safa House in Nasrec yesterday morning‚ Rantie’s name was notably absent.

The Bafana coach said he had been in contact with Rantie‚ who had expressed unhappiness at not being named in Baxter’s previous squad that beat Burkina Faso 3-1 at the FNB Stadium on October 7‚ and said he “needed space to think about his international career”.

Rantie missed Turkish club Genclerbirligi’s last league game injured on the weekend‚ but Baxter said that was not the reason for the striker’s omission.

“No‚ he’s available. The last time I was here and named a squad I gave the reasons why Tokelo was not in the squad‚” Baxter said.

“That was that he’d just come off a three-game suspension [for his club]‚ his coach was playing him as a winger‚ and I wasn’t 100% satisfied with his performance against Cape Verde.

“Given those reasons‚ I had a conversation with Tokelo where he wasn’t that happy with that.

“He was explaining some of the problems he’s had [in Turkey]‚ and how he’s not feeling too good and he wants some space to think about both his international career and his career in Turkey‚ and if he should try and get back into Bafana or move on.

“So I’ve just decided that this is not the right time [to call him].”

Baxter was asked to clarify if Rantie had turned down a Bafana call-up.

“When I spoke to Tokelo he was disappointed that he wasn’t called up last time‚” Baxter said.

“And he sent me a text saying‚ ‘Look‚ I think it’s best if‚ no matter how I’m playing‚ I don’t join up in this one’.

“So whether Tokelo in his disappointment doesn’t think he’s ready‚ or whatever‚ that’s his prerogative. “He’s got the right to say that. “He’s also got the right next time round to say‚ ‘Look‚ I’m available’.

“And then I’ve got the right to select the squad that I want to select.”

Rantie has been guilty of no-shows for the national team before‚ occasions where he was threatened with disciplinary measures by the SA Football Association‚ but where those did not materialise.

The striker never pitched for Bafa 1-1 opening draw of the Russia 2018 qualifiers against Burkina Faso in Ouagadougou under Baxter’s predecessor Shakes Mashaba.

Meanwhile, Baxter has recalled veteran Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Siphiwe Tshabalala for the two mustwin matches.

Baxter said the 33-year-old Tshabalala’s return was based on his outstanding form and clearly not seen as a long-term plan‚ but more as a need to call-up an in-form player who can bring quality to his squad for two games South Africa have to win.

Captain Thulani Hlatshwayo‚ injured for the Burkina Faso game‚ has been recalled.

South Africa need to beat Senegal twice to qualify. Bafana Bafana squad Goalkeepers: Itumeleng Khune (Kaizer Chiefs)‚ Wayne Sandilands (Orlando Pirates)‚ Ronwen Williams (SuperSport United)

Defenders: Morgan Gould (SuperSport United)‚ Tebogo Langerman (Mamelodi Sundowns)‚ Clayton Daniels (SuperSport United)‚ Sifiso Hlanti (Bidvest Wits)‚ Thamsanqa Mkhize (Cape Town City)‚ Motjeka Madisha (Mamelodi Sundowns)‚ Thulani Hlatshwayo (capt.‚ Bidvest Wits)‚ Tebogo Langerman (Mamelodi Sundowns)

Midfielders: Andile Jali (Oostende‚ Belgium)‚ Thulani Serero (Vitesse Arnhem‚ Netherlands)‚ Sibusiso Vilakazi (Mamelodi Sundowns)‚ Hlompho Kekana (Mamelodi Sundowns)‚ Bongani Zungu (Amiens‚ France)‚ Keagan Dolly (Montpellier‚ France)‚ Themba Zwane (Mamelodi Sund Kamohelo Mokotjo (Brentfo England)‚ Lebogang Manyama (Konyaspor‚ Turkey)‚ Phakamani Mahlambi (Al Ahly‚ Egypt)‚ Siphiwe Tshabalala (Kaizer Chiefs)‚ Dean Furman (SuperSport United)

Strikers: Bradley Grobler (SuperSport United)‚ Percy Tau (Mamelodi Sundowns)‚ Dino Ndlovu (Qarabag‚ Azerbaijan)