A Bafana Bafana making a fresh new start, though with the uncertainties about the availability of midfielder Kamohelo Mokotjo, their standing in World Cup qualifiers, and even who will be their new coach, take on Guinea-Bissau in Durban tomorrow.
There is one huge positive aspect to this friendly international at Moses Mabhida Stadium, which precedes another against Angola in East London on Tuesday.
Caretaker-coach Owen da Gama selected a squad packed with on-form PSL players and young talent, combined with the core of the team that beat Senegal 2-1 in a now-disputed World Cup qualifier in Polokwane in November.
It is a squad that promises much, and the new blood seems set to ensure competitive outings from Bafana in these two matches, with places to play for in the big away and home Russia 2018 qualifiers against Cape Verde Islands on August 28 and September 2.
One uncertainty stems from this being a team in limbo, sacked Shakes Mashaba’s former assistant Da Gama taking over as caretaker ahead of the SA Football Association announcing a new head coach.
Another is over Mokotjo, with Da Gama saying yesterday he is still awaiting the go-ahead from Safa, who are in turn waiting on Home Affairs, to find out if Mokotjo is eligible after complications stemming from the FC Twente player attaining Dutch citizenship.
A third is that Bafana also face the prospect of Fifa potentially ordering the Senegal game, which left SA strongly-placed in Group D of their World Cup qualifiers, to be replayed after findings of match-fixing.
Da Gama said the focus for Bafana this week has been on the field, with matters out of the playing and coaching staff’s hands not worth dwelling on.
“The focus is on the next two games. Administrative things we don’t focus on,” he said at a press conference in Durban yesterday.
“Mokotjo’s been training very well. We’re very happy with his contribution so far. But obviously we’re waiting for the association to come back and give us the final decision going forward.”
Asked if he believed he would be able to field Mokotjo tomorrow, Da Gama could only reply: “What I’m sure of is that he’s in the camp and he’s training very well.”
From the way Da Gama and his captain, Itumeleng Khune, spoke yesterday, the adventurous squad picked, and tension of waiting to find out a new coach, have created more of a “winds of change” atmosphere of excitement and anticipation than one of anxiety.
Guinea-Bissau, like Cape Verde, have strong ties with Portugal, where many of their players are based, so could be ideal preparation.
And the word’s 80th-ranked team should also be no pushovers for 62nd-placed Bafana.
The West Africans reached their first Africa Cup of Nations finals this year.
The “African Wild Dogs” drew there against hosts Gabon, and lost narrowly against eventual winners Cameroon.
“They just arrived yesterday. We have just received their squad and they have come with a very good one,” said Da Gama.
“Guinea-Bissau are one of the countries who really want to prove that they are going places.
“I think they caught a lot of people by surprise at the Nations Cup with their performances. And they want people to take note of them.”
Even without Mokotjo, some of the players called up by Da Gama have a lot to prove. Much is expected of first-timers Percy Tau and Phakamani Mahlambi, and recalled but still internationally inexperienced Lebogang Manyama and Thabo Mnyamane.