IGESUND ’ S BRAZIL HEADACHE
TOP PLAYERS INACTIVE BEFORE BRAZIL CLASH
BAFANA Bafana coach Gordon Igesund is a worried man as he prepares to face Brazil next month – a number of his top overseas-based players have been benched in recent weeks.
Tokelo Rantie, Dean Furman, Ayanda Patosi, Kagisho Dikgacoi and now Anele Ngcongca have all missed game time.
Ngcongca has been dropped for the past two games for Genk – the Europa League clash away at Russian Premier League side Anzhi and now Sunday ’ s 2-0 home loss to Waasland-Beveren.
And his future at the club has been thrown into more doubt after Genk announced yesterday that they had sacked coach Mario Been.
“After the defeat at home to Waasland-Beveren on Sunday evening, it was clear that the much-needed turnaround in the results of the Jupiler Pro League has been absent for too long,” the club said in a statement. “Genk wishes to thank Mario Been for the many successes. An appointment of a new coach will be made as soon as possible.”
What impact the latest move has for the career of the Bafana right-back will only become clear later.
Meanwhile, young midfielder Lebohang Phiri was back in action after the winter break in Denmark.
He came off the bench on 68 minutes to help Brondby snatch a last-gasp draw at home to Aalborg.
Phiri was late in joining up with his teammates for training after Christmas when he let his visa expire, barring him from travelling to Denmark. That issue is now sorted out and he is hoping to help Brondby, who battled relegation last year, qualify for the Champions League next season.