It’s baptism of fire for Shakes

IN THE face of criticism from some of the old guard at home, Shakes Mashaba’s Bafana Bafana babes seem desperate to get off to good start in tonight’s 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Sudan at the 43000-seater Al-Merreikh Stadium.

There have been the setbacks that so often characterise the start to a Bafana tour – Ayanda Patosi missing his flight, George Lebese and Jabulani Shongwe losing their passports, Itumeleng Khune’s injury.

But the South Africans do not usually allow such hitches to affect their stride. And the message from the young side selected by Mashaba for these two qualifiers – Bafana meet Nigeria in Cape Town on Wednesday – has been universal: “Just give us a chance!”

It is a huge advantage to play at 7pm on a potentially heavily grassed pitch in a desert city where temperatures in the day now are in excess of 35ºC, but a more tolerable low-30s at night.

Goalkeeper Senzo Meyiwa, who has plenty of experience of tough African conditions, uses the example of his club, Orlando Pirates, being tipped as no-hopers in last year’s Caf Champions League. Meyiwa is set to replace Khune between the posts. “When Pirates were grouped with Al Ahly people wrote us off, but we went all the way to the final. So I asked the coach if I could share the experience I had in the Caf,” the keeper said.

“The experience that talk will always be there, but for us, what do we want as players? We want to make our name and make our country proud. And change everything people have been saying about Bafana Bafana for the last few years.”

Dean Furman, thrust from being a relatively young prospect to a senior player, believes the squad has potential.

“In any national camp I’ve been involved in, there were always a few young players, and they’ve always impressed you in training. Now with the emphasis on bringing the younger lads through, it’s great to have them in the squad,” the midfielder said.

“We know they’ve got talent and it’s great to have the young lads with their no fear kind of attitude. It’s up to the more experienced players, in the times in the game where we can’t be free and exuberant, and might have to keep our shape, to know we have to be more tactically aware.”

With Mashaba only speaking at the matchday minus-one press conference late after training last night, it has been difficult to gauge the coach’s potential starting lineup.

But in his sessions before leaving Johannesburg the coach appeared to be experimenting with Anele Ngcongca, Buhle Mkhwanazi, Mulomowandau Mathoho and Thabo Matlaba as a back four.

Furman or Kamohelo Mokotjo could be in defensive midfield, with Sibusiso Vilakazi as playmaker, and Keagan Dolly and Mandla Masango on the wings.

Tokelo Rantie and 18-year-old FC Twente U20 international Nhlakanipho Ntuli are the potential strike partnership.

Mashaba has yet to name his captain, but word in Khartoum seems to have stalwart right- back Ngcongca as a favourite.

Sudan, who Bafana meet for the first time, are a complete unknown quantity. Ranked 115th to SA’s 69th, the Falcons of Jediane reached the 2012 Afcon quarterfinals.