Vilakazi blow for Bafana
OUT: VILA ON THE SIDELINES AFTER TRAINING INJURY
But Baxter has an ace in Mothiba, who returns from France in red-hot form.
Bafana Bafana and Mamelodi Sundowns were dealt a major blow yesterday, when Sibusiso Vilakazi ruptured his left Achilles tendon in a training match against SuperSport United at Megawatt Park.
Stuart Baxter’s Bafana were preparing for Saturday’s 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Group E qualifier against the Seychelles at FNB Stadium and Vilakazi’s injury means he is likely to be out of action for months.
Baxter has already lost Sundowns’ Thapelo Morena and Orlando Pirates’ Vincent Pule to injury, with Thamsanqa Mkhize and Thembinkosi Lorch called up in their place.
Vilakazi’s injury further dam- ages Baxter’s striking options for Saturday’s game, as well as the return match in the island nation three days later.
There is better news surrounding Lebo Mothiba, who continued his fine goalscoring form as he netted the only goal in a 1-0 win for Bafana against SuperSport.
The 22-year-old Strasbourg striker has made an instant impact at his new Ligue 1 club in France, scoring four times already this season, including twice in a 2-2 draw last weekend, and he should be a useful attacking weapon in the coming days.
Bafana certainly lacked spark in attack when they drew 0-0 with Libya in their last Afcon qualifier in Durban last month.
Striker Dino Ndlovu’s late arrival in camp – his flight from Hong Kong was cancelled – leaves Mothiba as the primary candidate to partner Percy Tau against the Seychelles.
Seychelles head coach Gavin Jeanne, meanwhile, believes his side can shock Bafana Bafana.
The island nation, ranked 189th in the world, have the look of Group E’s whipping-boys having lost their opening two qualifiers 5-1 away to Libya and 3-0 at home to Nigeria.
“This Seychelles team is showing some progress in its matches. The results and the performance are both improving.
“We have shown that we can compete at the highest level on the continent. Now we want to instil a winning mentality in our players,” Jeanne said in the official match programme.
“We take each game very seriously and hope we can get a positive result out of it. Against South Africa it will be no exception.
“We feel we have the ability to surprise anyone, especially if the players can show the same commitment as they have shown since I took over the team earlier this year.”
Baxter has also warned that Bafana may well have to show patience as they look to break down the Seychelles.
“Nigeria took time to pick a way through them … in the Libya game the first 20 minutes were tight,” said the Bafana coach.