BAFANA coach Gordon Igesund is playing musical chairs with the captain's armband.
Igesund yesterday named his 23-man squad to face Central African Republic (CAR) in a 2014 World Cup qualifier next week, but is still not settled on who the national team skipper should be.
The coach made five changes from the squad that took part in the Africa Cup of Nations last month, with Bongani Khumalo - the captain in the tournament hosted by South Africa - the biggest casualty.
Goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune will lead the side for the crucial qualifier against CAR at the Cape Town Stadium next Saturday. Even then, Khune is not guaranteed to keep the armband. For Igesund, form determines if you keep your place in the Bafana squad.
"Nothing is permanent in the national team. We spend too much time discussing this issue, you've got to be playing (regularly) to be captain of this team," said Igesund.
"You've got to be on-form and Bongani, from what I know, has spent a lot of his time since the Nations Cup on the bench for his team, and that is not enough to be in the squad."
Khumalo is on loan from English Premier League club Tottenham Hotspurs at Greek side PAOK, and has fallen down the pecking order in central defence. Igesund believes Khune is a "leader for his team Kaizer Chiefs" and can play a similar role for Bafana against CAR, a team they need to beat to have any hope of qualifying for the World Cup in Brazil.
Khune will be Bafana's fourth full-time skipper since Aaron Mokoena was frozen out of the team by ex-coach Pitso Mosimane following the 2010 World Cup. Mokoena's successor, Steven Pienaar, quit Bafana in October and Siphiwe Tshabalala and Morgan Gould have been stand-in captains.
Igesund said he was more focused on improving Bafana's third position in Group A. Log leaders Ethiopia, who held South Africa to a 1-1 draw in June, and Botswana, complete the group. Bafana have only managed two points in as many matches, with the other stalemate coming against Botswana.
"I've picked an attacking side because we need to start winning games."
He has recalled Siyanda Xulu, Morgan Gould, Daylon Claasen, Daine Klate and Dino Ndlovu back into the team. Thulani Serero, Khumalo, Katlego Mphela, Siboniso Gaxa and Lehlohonolo Majoro (injured) were left out.
"I obviously thought we needed to improve defensively from the Nations Cup. For the tournament, I picked a team that could play five or six games, but now I need players that will perform once-off."
There are concerns around Siyabonga Sangweni's recovery from injury, but Igesund said he had spoke to the Orlando Pirates defender after the Soweto derby against Chiefs and Sangweni said he would be ready for the clash against CAR.
l Bafana have remained unmoved at number 60 in the latest Fifa World Rankings released yesterday. But they have dropped down one place to 11th in Africa though.
Khune named Bafana skipper
BAFANA coach Gordon Igesund is playing musical chairs with the captain's armband.
Igesund yesterday named his 23-man squad to face Central African Republic (CAR) in a 2014 World Cup qualifier next week, but is still not settled on who the national team skipper should be.
The coach made five changes from the squad that took part in the Africa Cup of Nations last month, with Bongani Khumalo - the captain in the tournament hosted by South Africa - the biggest casualty.
Goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune will lead the side for the crucial qualifier against CAR at the Cape Town Stadium next Saturday. Even then, Khune is not guaranteed to keep the armband. For Igesund, form determines if you keep your place in the Bafana squad.
"Nothing is permanent in the national team. We spend too much time discussing this issue, you've got to be playing (regularly) to be captain of this team," said Igesund.
"You've got to be on-form and Bongani, from what I know, has spent a lot of his time since the Nations Cup on the bench for his team, and that is not enough to be in the squad."
Khumalo is on loan from English Premier League club Tottenham Hotspurs at Greek side PAOK, and has fallen down the pecking order in central defence. Igesund believes Khune is a "leader for his team Kaizer Chiefs" and can play a similar role for Bafana against CAR, a team they need to beat to have any hope of qualifying for the World Cup in Brazil.
Khune will be Bafana's fourth full-time skipper since Aaron Mokoena was frozen out of the team by ex-coach Pitso Mosimane following the 2010 World Cup. Mokoena's successor, Steven Pienaar, quit Bafana in October and Siphiwe Tshabalala and Morgan Gould have been stand-in captains.
Igesund said he was more focused on improving Bafana's third position in Group A. Log leaders Ethiopia, who held South Africa to a 1-1 draw in June, and Botswana, complete the group. Bafana have only managed two points in as many matches, with the other stalemate coming against Botswana.
"I've picked an attacking side because we need to start winning games."
He has recalled Siyanda Xulu, Morgan Gould, Daylon Claasen, Daine Klate and Dino Ndlovu back into the team. Thulani Serero, Khumalo, Katlego Mphela, Siboniso Gaxa and Lehlohonolo Majoro (injured) were left out.
"I obviously thought we needed to improve defensively from the Nations Cup. For the tournament, I picked a team that could play five or six games, but now I need players that will perform once-off."
There are concerns around Siyabonga Sangweni's recovery from injury, but Igesund said he had spoke to the Orlando Pirates defender after the Soweto derby against Chiefs and Sangweni said he would be ready for the clash against CAR.
l Bafana have remained unmoved at number 60 in the latest Fifa World Rankings released yesterday. But they have dropped down one place to 11th in Africa though.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending
Latest Videos