Caretaker coach Owen da Gama has promised to unleash talented young players like Luther Singh when Bafana Bafana lock horns with Angola in an international friendly at Buffalo City Stadium in East London tonight.
Da Gama said it would be useless to call up players and not field them – something that former coach Shakes Mashaba did and resulted in players like Kermit Erasmus and Kamohelo Mokotjo being frustrated.
The frustration of being called up and sitting on the bench resulted in Mokotjo applying for Netherlands citizenship – which almost saw him not playing for the national team again.
Da Gama heaped praise on East London fans, saying the way they were welcomed the team at the airport and at 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 is fitting – and long, long overdue, the coach said.
Asked what were the chances of him unleashing the talented Singh, Da Gama did not hesitate to say the youngster will definitely play tonight.
“You don’t call up people and not play them. I just feel we have to give these boys a chance. We’ll see what time during the match. We have to assess the match as you may understand, but we’ve got confidence in them. That’s why they are here.
“So, definitely, we promised we’ll make six changes in the first match – we did that. We promise we’ll make six changes tomorrow evening – we’ll do that.
“They are here and they have to play,” said Da Gama.
Bafana convincingly won 3-1 their first of two friendly games on Saturday against Guinea-Bissau at Moses Mabhida Stadium.
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 minor 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 players’ careers by playing them.
“We’ve got to respect the players, their futures and their clubs as well. We can’t really take an injured player and make him more injured and he goes back to his club.
“It’s not fair on the club and the player. You’ve got to think about the future of the players as well,” he said.
The statement will make Da Gama a favourite with club bosses as they often complain of their players coming back injured from national duty.
Asked if the exciting group of players would be able to qualify for the World Cup, he jokingly said they are exciting because they have “an exciting coach, don’t you think?”
He would not be drawn into commenting on the coach that will be appointed permanently.
“Whatever is going to happen in the future with the Bafana coaching staff, I just hope it helps us to go to another level, which we are busy doing, so I cannot comment on that.
“But I’m pretty happy with what the boys have done so far and we’re very focused on this match. We’re not worried about Senegal, whatever they’re talking about, and the referees there. We’re not worried about coaches coming in.
“We just want to have the best possible preparation,” he said.
The friendly games are to prepare Bafana for their World Cup qualifiers against Cape Verde in August and September.
Bafana will be eager to extend their impressive 16 matches not lost record to 17 tonight. Da Gama is well aware that Angola – who play a similar style of football as Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde – will not be a walk in the park.
“Everybody wants to beat South Africa at home. This has got to do with the Fifa rankings as well. They’re very serious, we’re very serious and we’re expecting a very, very difficult match,” he said.
The Portugal-based 19-year-old Singh said he was happy to be part of the national team. The Amajita star said he was learning a lot from the senior players.
Da Gama to ring changes for Angola game
Da Gama said it would be useless to call up players and not field them – something that former coach Shakes Mashaba did and resulted in players like Kermit Erasmus and Kamohelo Mokotjo being frustrated.
The frustration of being called up and sitting on the bench resulted in Mokotjo applying for Netherlands citizenship – which almost saw him not playing for the national team again.
Da Gama heaped praise on East London fans, saying the way they were welcomed the team at the airport and at 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 is fitting – and long, long overdue, the coach said.
Asked what were the chances of him unleashing the talented Singh, Da Gama did not hesitate to say the youngster will definitely play tonight.
“You don’t call up people and not play them. I just feel we have to give these boys a chance. We’ll see what time during the match. We have to assess the match as you may understand, but we’ve got confidence in them. That’s why they are here.
“So, definitely, we promised we’ll make six changes in the first match – we did that. We promise we’ll make six changes tomorrow evening – we’ll do that.
“They are here and they have to play,” said Da Gama.
Bafana convincingly won 3-1 their first of two friendly games on Saturday against Guinea-Bissau at Moses Mabhida Stadium.
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 minor 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 players’ careers by playing them.
“We’ve got to respect the players, their futures and their clubs as well. We can’t really take an injured player and make him more injured and he goes back to his club.
“It’s not fair on the club and the player. You’ve got to think about the future of the players as well,” he said.
The statement will make Da Gama a favourite with club bosses as they often complain of their players coming back injured from national duty.
Asked if the exciting group of players would be able to qualify for the World Cup, he jokingly said they are exciting because they have “an exciting coach, don’t you think?”
He would not be drawn into commenting on the coach that will be appointed permanently.
“Whatever is going to happen in the future with the Bafana coaching staff, I just hope it helps us to go to another level, which we are busy doing, so I cannot comment on that.
“But I’m pretty happy with what the boys have done so far and we’re very focused on this match. We’re not worried about Senegal, whatever they’re talking about, and the referees there. We’re not worried about coaches coming in.
“We just want to have the best possible preparation,” he said.
The friendly games are to prepare Bafana for their World Cup qualifiers against Cape Verde in August and September.
Bafana will be eager to extend their impressive 16 matches not lost record to 17 tonight. Da Gama is well aware that Angola – who play a similar style of football as Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde – will not be a walk in the park.
“Everybody wants to beat South Africa at home. This has got to do with the Fifa rankings as well. They’re very serious, we’re very serious and we’re expecting a very, very difficult match,” he said.
The Portugal-based 19-year-old Singh said he was happy to be part of the national team. The Amajita star said he was learning a lot from the senior players.
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