Selection headache for Baxter ahead of crucial qualifier

Unlike Nigeria’s star-studded side, Bafana Bafana coach Stuart Baxter will next week announce a rather depleted squad to face the Super Eagles in the penultimate Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

Baxter will have to do without five key players who would have been in the starting line-up.

Former skipper Dean Furman went under the knife last week to repair an injured shoulder. A tweet last week indicated that he underwent a successful operation which would rule him out of action for a few weeks.

He said in a tweet: “After taking a bad fall in training on Saturday, I unfortunately ruptured the ligaments in my shoulder. Yesterday I had a successful operation to repair the joint. Thanks to the staff and Dr Andrew Barrow at Sunninghill hospital for their great service. The road to recovery is a long one but I look forward to being back out on the pitch soon.”

His SuperSport United team-mate Bradley Grobler followed suit with a tweet of his own saying he also underwent an operation to fix his damaged right groin.

Grobler tweeted: “No doubt I have the best job in the world but it definitely has its ups and downs. Two years ago I had my left groin repaired and today the right side has been successfully repaired. I will once again be out of action for a while but it will be worth it. I would like to thank the whole @SuperSportFC family from management, medical team, supporters, coaching staff and the players for all the support they have given me.”

The two follow in the footsteps of Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Sibusiso Vilakazi, who ruptured his left Achilles tendon while in the previous Bafana camp, during a friendly match against SuperSport. He is facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

The long-term injury list also includes France-based Bongani Zungu and Keagan Dolly, who are likely to be back in action next year. Zungu is out with a knee ligament injury while Dolly underwent a successful operation on his fibula also last month.

This is not the news that Baxter wanted ahead of this crucial qualifier – Bafana threw away two key points when they drew against minnows Seychelles last month and surrendered their top spot in the process.

Nigeria’s coach does not have the same headaches after announcing what looked like a strong team this week, despite coach Gernot Rohr overlooking former captain John Obi Mikel once again.

The China-based Mikel also missed last month’s back-to-back victories over Libya and this could signal his end in the national team.

Also missing from the team is England-based midfielder Wilfred Ndidi, who is suspended for the Bafana tie.

But Rohr has his own woes because he will have to do without the services of Ogenyi Onazi and Abdullahi Shehu, who are both based in Turkey.

Both Bafana and the Super Eagles, who are first and second on the group, irrespectively, need a victory to book a spot in next year’s finals.

	Timothy Molobi News Editor City Press p: +27 11 713 9619 w: www.citypress.co.za  e: timothy@citypress.co.za
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