JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – AUGUST 28: Stuart Baxter (Bafana Bafana Coach) during the South Africa national mens soccer team press conference at Southern Sun, OR Tambo Airport on August 28, 2017 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by Lee Warren/Gallo Images)

Stuart Baxter names Bafana squad for Burkina Faso clash

It’s now do-or-die for Bafana!

by Siviwe Breakfast

20-09-2017 12:37

in Soccer

Bafana Bafana Stuart Baxter coach has named his squad ahead of the World Cup qualifier against Burkina Faso at FNB stadium on 7 October.

This sees a return for Azerbaijan-based striker Dino Ndlovu who plays for Qabarag as well as new Al-Ahly signing Phakamani Mahlabi. Ndlovu is seen as a replacement for Tokelo Rantie who drops out of the squad completely due to suspension. Another player dropped from the squad is Supersport United captain Dean Furman.

Bidvest Wits defender Reeve Fosler and Lebo Mothiba who plays for Valenciennes in the French Ligue 1 receive their first call up into the national set up.

Eric Matoho has been called up despite his suspension earned after a red card in the away fixture against Cape Verde being under review.

Baxter will be glad to call on the services of veteran keeper Itumeleng Khune who was unavailable for the games against the islanders due to illness. Ronwen Williams and Wayne Sandilands who both had to don the gloves in his absence are the other keepers named in the squad.

Bafana are rooted at the bottom of Group D after back to back defeats against Cape Verde. Their solitary win in the competition was reversed after FIFA ruled that their controversial game against Senegal last year be replayed.

They drew their away fixture against Burkina Faso and currently sit with just one point, six shy of log leaders Cape Verde and Burkina Faso. Senegal are third with four points.

Also read: Bafana Bafana plummet down FIFA rankings after Cape Verde humiliation