Tokelo Rantie snubs Bafana Bafana

Rantie was not named in Baxter’s 26-man squad for the Group D games at home to Senegal on November 10 and in Dakar on November 14.

The Genclebirligi striker had already been left out of Baxter’s squad for last month’s match against Burkina Faso, with the Bafana coach citing a lack of game-time for the striker in Turkey.

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Rantie did play for Bafana in the two qualifying defeats to Cape Verde in September, scoring in the first game in Praia, but failing to impress in the return match in Durban.

“When I spoke to Tokelo, Tokelo was disappointed he wasn’t called up last time and he sent me a text saying ‘I think it’s best if, no matter how I am playing in this one, I don’t join up,'” said Baxter on Thursday

“Whether Tokelo, in his disappointment, doesn’t think he is ready or whatever, that is his prerogative, he has the right to say that, he also has the right next time round to say ‘Look, I’m available’. I also have the right to select the squad I want to select.

“I don’t want to take things too categorically but certainly he didn’t feel in the right frame of mind to be in this squad.”

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