×

We've got news for you.

Register on SowetanLIVE at no cost to receive newsletters, read exclusive articles & more.
Register now

Da Gama says Zungu is in Bafana's plans‚ and Morena is a winger

Bafana Bafana caretaker-coach Owen Da Gama. Picture credits: Gallo Images
Bafana Bafana caretaker-coach Owen Da Gama. Picture credits: Gallo Images

Bafana Bafana caretaker-coach Owen Da Gama has explained the two notable exclusions‚ Portugal-based midfielder Bongani Zungu and Mamelodi Sundowns right-back Thapelo Morena‚ from his squad for two friendlies this month.

After a tough start in Portugal‚ Zungu has established himself as a regular starter this year at Vitoria Guimaraes.

Morena has blossomed into a fine‚ explosively-fast defensive and attacking right-back since his conversion there by Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane.

Da Gama named a roundly-praised‚ adventurous squad on Thursday for the friendlies against Guinea-Bissau on March 25 and Angola on March 28‚ though the exclusion of Zungu and Morena did raise eyebrows.

On Zungu’s omission‚ Da Gama pointed out that his squad is strong in central midfielders‚ including Hlompo Kekana‚ Andile Jali‚ Kamohelo Mokotjo and Dean Furman.

After the squad announcement the Bafana caretaker-coach held up his clipboard to show his squad options‚ displaying that Zungu’s name was scribbled there as a consideration.

“I think I’ve learnt something from the past‚ which is that everybody can make a list of 30 or 40 players who are not being selected who are very good‚” Da Gama said.

“I mean‚ we’ve got six midfielders who are very good. How many can you bring at a given time?

“Hlompo Kekana is the captain of the African champions‚ he’s won the league‚ he’s won the Super Cup.

“You look at Andile Jali – he’s been there. You don’t want to destabilise too much.

“Zungu has started playing [in Portugal] of late. So he’ll always be part of the bigger picture‚ there’s no doubt about it.”

Da Gama said he views Morena as a right wing‚ and his conversion to right-back had counted against the Downs player.

“I still believe that this is a national team‚ it’s not a club. Players are very different at clubs than for the national team‚” he said.

“I don’t believe in taking a right wing and making him a right-back. He might do well at his club – that’s fine.

“I signed Thapelo at Bloemfontein Celtic as a right wing. And he’s been converted because of the style that Sundowns offer.

“I think sometimes we’ve just got to accept that national team is totally different to club football. And I don’t believe in converting players at national team level.”

Da Gama takes charge of this month’s friendlies as the South African Football Association are yet to announce a new head coach to replace Shakes Mashaba‚ who was sacked in December.

- TMG Digital/TMG Sport

Download our App
Download our Apple AppDownload our Android App

 

Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.

Speech Bubbles

Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.