Baxter explains Mlambo’s omission from Bafana squad
The midfielder's exclusion from the squad to face Seychelles in an Afcon qualifier next week has raised a lot of eyebrows.
Xola Mlambo (Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix)
Xola Mlambo was not included in the Bafana squad that was announced by Baxter on Monday.
The midfielder has been one of the best and consistent Orlando Pirates players this season and his exclusion from the Bafana Bafana squad to face Seychelles in an Afcon qualifier next week has raised a lot of eyebrows.
Speaking to the media on Monday, Baxter said Mlambo was close to getting a Bafana call-up because he was top quality, but added that he was looking to keep his team balanced.
Baxter told reporters: “I’ve had meetings with the Pirates staff, and I’ve told them that he’s one that has caught my eye. I’m just looking at the balance of the squad, and I’m thinking, at this moment, against these opponents, is he the one? I was thinking about him more against Libya, I have to admit, because of his ability to play in tight spaces.”
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“But on the other hand,” he continued. “We knew we were going to have to defend on transition against Libya, and at Pirates, he has a role where he’s a last-third or build-up player, with others [tracking] back quicker than he does.
“I think he’s definitely improved, and when I maybe get a younger player that I think is around the same, well then it’s about taking the younger one. And that’s not saying he’s any worse, it’s just saying that for the future it is worth investing in international playing time.
“But he’s certainly one that’s caught my eye, and you know you’ve got to pick a squad that wins. So, he’s close, but at the moment, I think the balance that we’ve got is okay,” he concluded.
Bafana is set to face Seychelles at the FNB Stadium on Saturday, October 13.
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