Rantie left out of Bafana Bafana squad
Striker Tokelo Rantie was a surprise omission from Stuart Baxter’s Bafana Bafana squad to take on Burkina Faso in a 2018 Fifa World Cup qualifier at FNB Stadium on October 7.
Tokelo Rantie (Photo by Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images)
Rantie started both of Bafana’s qualifying defeats against Cape Verde in September, scoring in Praia, but Baxter said a lack of game time at club level made him decide to leave out the Turkey-based striker.
“Tokelo got a red card (in Turkey) and a three match suspension. He has been very inactive, and he has been playing wide as a midfielder for his club,” said Baxter.
“I thought that inactivity reflected a bit in the second game (against Cape Verde) … he needs more game time.”
READ: Baxter blames players’ attitude for Cape Verde loss
Baxter has also left out former Orlando Pirates striker Kermit Erasmus for similar reasons and has instead called up Azerbaijan based Dino Ndlovu, who has been playing for Qarabag in the Uefa Champions League, and Lebo Mothiba, who has been in good form for Valenciennes in France’s Ligue 2.
Defender Erick Mathoho and midfielder Thulani Serero are both in the squad, meanwhile, though both could be replaced before the Burkina Faso game. Mathoho could get an extra game suspension, with Fifa set to review on September 28 the red card he got against Cape Verde in Praia.
There are still doubts, meanwhile, over Serero’s fitness – he played in neither of the games against Cape Verde despite being in the squad.
“Serero has missed too many games (with Vitesse Arnhem) for us to be happy with, he came with a knock into the last camp .. . he is supposed to be playing tonight (Vitesse play at AVV Swift on Wednesday in the Dutch Cup).
“Our doctor is pressing their medical team for a solid diagnosis of where he stands.”
Bafana are currently bottom of World Cup qualifying Group D with one point from three games played.
Bafana squad:
Goalkeepers: Itumeleng Khune, Wayne Sandilands, Ronwen Williams
Defenders: Thamsanqa Mkhize, Clayton Daniels, Thulani Hlatshwayo, Erick Mathoho, Morgan Gould, Reeve Frosler, Tebogo Langerman, Sifiso Hlanti
Midfielders: Hlompho Kekana, Keagan Dolly, Andile Jali, Kamohelo Mokotjo, Sibusiso Vilakazi, Themba Zwane, Bongani Zungu, Thulani Serero, Phakamani Mahlambi, Lebogang Manyama
Strikers: Percy Tau, Lebo Mothiba, Bradley Grobler, Dino Ndlovu
