TEFU Mashamaite’s call-up to Bafana Bafana’s home and away 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Congo could prove crucial as the Kaizer Chiefs centre-back now seems certain to come in for the injured Anele Ngcongca.
Ngcongca was yesterday withdrawn from the squad for the matches in Pointe Noire on Saturday and Polokwane on Wednesday by club Racing Genk.
The right-back is being taken for a scan for a knee injury, after playing 90 minutes in a 0-0 draw against Anderlecht on Sunday.
Ngcongca played in central defence in SA’s first two Group A qualifiers, last month’s 3-0 away win against Sudan and 0-0 draw against Nigeria in Cape Town.
At 30, Mashamaite was something of a surpris e call-up given coach Ephraim “Shakes” Mashaba’s emphasis on youth in a rebuilding phase. The defender’s form at Chiefs had made it hard for him to be left out, and he now seems the most likely candidate to partner club teammate Mulomowandau Mathoho at centre-back.
On Ngcongca’s withdrawal, Mashaba said: “We got an e-mail from his team yesterday that he’s injured. They said he’s going for a scan and they’ll send us the report. But he’s not going to be with us for this trip.
“It’s not a setback – we had 26 players in the squad and each position has a back-up. We’re considering making a replacement. We can’t give you names until we’ve notified a club.”
Bidvest Wits defender Buhle Mkhwanazi, called up against Sudan and Nigeria before withdrawing due to injury, seems a likely replacement.
The rest of Bafana’s foreign contingent – Thulani Serero, Andile Jali and Dean Furman – sat out yesterday’s morning training session having arrived in Rustenburg at midnight on Monday.
Mashamaite and Mathoho have been in form for Chiefs, notably not conceding a goal in the competition as Amakhosi won the MTN8.
Chiefs teammate Reneilwe Letsholonyane, who has also forced his way into the Bafana squad on form, believes the pair can do the job for the national team.
“Masha and Mathoho have been doing well for Kaizer Chiefs. Because we have a short time to prepare with the national team it always works easier when you have two or three players who know each other from club level to stabilise the team better,” said Letsholonyane.
Goalkeeper Senzo Meyiwa was Bafana’s captain in their first two games. Mashaba had announced he would rotate the captaincy for the Congo qualifiers. Ngcongca – who, with 37 caps, would have been the squad’s second-most experienced player to Letsholonyane (48) – would have been a leading choice.
“I will let you know about the captain,” said Mashaba. “We always announce our team on the eve of the game – we don’t wait for 2pm .”
The coach said, despite the injuries to Ngcongca and Ajax Cape Town defender Ayabulela Magqwaka (calf), Bafana are ready for Congo.
“If you talk about playing, we’re ready. We could play tonight. It’s unfortunate what happened to Ayabulela and Ayanda, but that’s why we have backups in all positions.”
Congo have muddied the waters in Group A with wins against Nigeria and Sudan to be on top with six points.
SA are second on four points, Nigeria have one, and Sudan are bottom placed with nil.
No panic buttons for shakes
Ngcongca was yesterday withdrawn from the squad for the matches in Pointe Noire on Saturday and Polokwane on Wednesday by club Racing Genk.
The right-back is being taken for a scan for a knee injury, after playing 90 minutes in a 0-0 draw against Anderlecht on Sunday.
Ngcongca played in central defence in SA’s first two Group A qualifiers, last month’s 3-0 away win against Sudan and 0-0 draw against Nigeria in Cape Town.
At 30, Mashamaite was something of a surpris e call-up given coach Ephraim “Shakes” Mashaba’s emphasis on youth in a rebuilding phase. The defender’s form at Chiefs had made it hard for him to be left out, and he now seems the most likely candidate to partner club teammate Mulomowandau Mathoho at centre-back.
On Ngcongca’s withdrawal, Mashaba said: “We got an e-mail from his team yesterday that he’s injured. They said he’s going for a scan and they’ll send us the report. But he’s not going to be with us for this trip.
“It’s not a setback – we had 26 players in the squad and each position has a back-up. We’re considering making a replacement. We can’t give you names until we’ve notified a club.”
Bidvest Wits defender Buhle Mkhwanazi, called up against Sudan and Nigeria before withdrawing due to injury, seems a likely replacement.
The rest of Bafana’s foreign contingent – Thulani Serero, Andile Jali and Dean Furman – sat out yesterday’s morning training session having arrived in Rustenburg at midnight on Monday.
Mashamaite and Mathoho have been in form for Chiefs, notably not conceding a goal in the competition as Amakhosi won the MTN8.
Chiefs teammate Reneilwe Letsholonyane, who has also forced his way into the Bafana squad on form, believes the pair can do the job for the national team.
“Masha and Mathoho have been doing well for Kaizer Chiefs. Because we have a short time to prepare with the national team it always works easier when you have two or three players who know each other from club level to stabilise the team better,” said Letsholonyane.
Goalkeeper Senzo Meyiwa was Bafana’s captain in their first two games. Mashaba had announced he would rotate the captaincy for the Congo qualifiers. Ngcongca – who, with 37 caps, would have been the squad’s second-most experienced player to Letsholonyane (48) – would have been a leading choice.
“I will let you know about the captain,” said Mashaba. “We always announce our team on the eve of the game – we don’t wait for 2pm .”
The coach said, despite the injuries to Ngcongca and Ajax Cape Town defender Ayabulela Magqwaka (calf), Bafana are ready for Congo.
“If you talk about playing, we’re ready. We could play tonight. It’s unfortunate what happened to Ayabulela and Ayanda, but that’s why we have backups in all positions.”
Congo have muddied the waters in Group A with wins against Nigeria and Sudan to be on top with six points.
SA are second on four points, Nigeria have one, and Sudan are bottom placed with nil.
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