Bafana meet Malawi in tricky clash

HAVING bombed to a defeat against Botswana, Bafana Bafana’s Cosafa Cup plate semifinal against tricky Malawi at Royal Bafokeng Stadium tonight represents more than just a rescue mission in this tournament.

Coach Shakes Mashaba said yesterday he would name his squad tomorrow for the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Gambia in Durban on June 13, and there were a few players who would be out to redeem themselves and perhaps stake a claim for a call-up.

For Absa Premiership top scorer Moeketsi Sekola, though, that chance seems doubtful. The Free State Stars striker missed Sunday’s 7-6 quarterfinal penalties defeat against Botswana with a foot injury. He started yesterday’s training session at the rustic Mogwase Stadium, 60km north of Rustenburg, but limped off near the end.

Terms such as “the honeymoon is over” have been bandied about for Mashaba following a disappointing start to a tournament he said was important to win. But few coaches can turn around a mood quite like Bafana’s father figure.

His game of having players and technical staff race to be first, or sometimes last, to a team talk or huddle has always been popular. Yesterday, Mashaba called in the press. Then after that police sitting up in the stands, with one rotund traffic cop losing out and having to perform the obligatory funny dance.

It was a light moment to conclude a training session that had not been without moments of tension.

Mashaba’s attempt to put on a brave face after the Botswana defeat came across as defensiveness. But he showed some annoyance at his players, cracking the whip a few times at the start of yesterday’s session.

“My team is dead. If you think you’ll only play on Wednesday you’re making a big mistake. It starts here!” Mashaba barked at one stage.

After that Mashaba took Ba- fana through setpieces and marking, which he said had been at fault on Sunday.

Safa communications head Dominic Chimhavi said the Gambia game would be at Moses Mabhida Stadium.

Mashaba believes he has uncovered two or three players who might contribute to that squad. Wing Thapelo Morena, left-back Marc van Heerden, right-back Siyabonga Nhlapo and centre-back Kwanda Mngonyama are players who might have caught his eye.

The latter three could be in for a tougher night against a Malawi side who have been a revelation in the group stages.

In the early game at 5pm, Ghana meet Zambia. Bafana’s game is at 7.30pm.