Bafana to unleash talented youngster
CARETAKER coach Owen da Gama has promised to unleash talented players like Luther Singh when Bafana Bafana lock horns with Angola in an international friendly at the Buffalo City Stadium tonight.
Da Gama said it would be useless calling up players and not fielding them, something that former coach Shakes Mashaba did, resulting in frustration for players including Kermit Erasmus and Kamohelo Mokotjo.
The frustration of being called up and sitting on the bench resulted in Mokotjo applying for Netherlands citizenship, which almost saw him never playing for the national team again.
Da Gama heaped praise on East London fans, saying the way they were welcomed at the airport and at the Sisa Dukashe Stadium in Mdantsane on Sunday was “just magic” and “one of the greatest feelings in a very long time”.
The South African Football Association bringing the game to East London for the first time in 15 years was fitting and long overdue, the coach said.
Asked what the chances were of him unleashing the talented Singh, 19, Da Gama said the youngster would definitely play tonight.
“You don’t call up people and not play them. I feel we have to give these boys a chance, but we’ll see when during the match,” Da Gama said.
“We promised we would make six changes in the first match and we did that. We promise we will make six changes tonight, and we will do that.”
Bafana enjoyed a convincing 3-1win in the first of two friendly games against Guinea-Bissau at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday.
Regulars Erick Mathoho (skin abrasion), Thulani Hlatshwayo (ankle sprain), Dean Furman (groin) and Andile Jali (shoulder dislocation) are doubtful for tonight as they are nursing injuries.
The injury to the two central defenders might see a new central pairing of youngsters Lorenzo Gordinho and Rivaldo Coetzee, while Da Gama might also go for the proven partnership of Tiyani Mabunda, Hlompho Kekana and Themba Zwane in midfield.
Da Gama said it would not be fair to risk the injured players’ careers by playing them.
“We’ve got to respect the players, their futures and their clubs as well,” he said.
“We can’t take an injured player, injure him further and then he goes back to his club. It’s not fair on the club or the player.”
The statement will make Da Gama a favourite with club bosses as they often complain of their players coming back injured from national duty.
He would not be drawn into commenting on the coach who will be appointed permanently.
The friendly games are to prepare Bafana for their World Cup qualifiers against Cape Verde in August and September.
Da Gama is well aware that Angola will not be a walk in the park.
“Everybody wants to beat South Africa at home. They’re serious, we’re serious and we’re expecting a very difficult match,” he said.