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Five players who could boost Bafana in 2020

Molefi Ntseki has said he wants to increase the pool of players available to him as Bafana Bafana head coach, ahead of the start of the 2022 Fifa World Cup qualifiers in March.

Kearyn Baccus reflects on losing the league title after 2-0 defeat from Tuesday night’s opponents Baroka FC. Picture: Gavin Barker/BackpagePix.

Phakaaathi takes a look at five players who might get a look in when senior international football resumes in 2020.

Andile Jali

Defensive midfield has traditionally been a strong position for Bafana, while goalscoring midfielders have been in short supply in recent years. It was, therefore, a little surprise to hear Ntseki say he felt Kamohelo Mokotjo and Dean Furman were automatic picks for his side, and that right now there was too little cover. Then again, Bongani Zungu’s injury troubles just keep on coming, while Lebo Phiri was a great success against Sudan when used in a more attacking role. And Sipho Mbule and Teboho Mokoena have plenty of promise, will they be ready to step up next year? Step forward Andile Jali, starting to find his best form again with Mamelodi Sundowns, and a player who on his day is arguably the most complete midfielder in the country, able to do his defensive duties with aplomb, and drive forward create goals at the other end as well, while also popping up with the odd strike of his own. With plenty of international experience, Jali could be a ready-made fit into Ntseki’s problem position.

Andile Jali (Sydney Mahlangu /BackpagePix)

Tom Barkhuizen

Bafana are always on the hunt for goalscorers, and the latest overseas-based player that Ntseki has said he wants to take a look at is Tom Barkhuizen, who plays for Preston North End in the English Championship. The 26 year old has seven goals in all competitions for Preston this season, and may be worth calling up in March, if Lebo Mothiba is still struggling with form that has largely deserted him this season, and if Bradley Grobler does not rediscover his brilliant early season form in 2020. Barkhuizen would still have to get a South African passport, of course, with Ntseki hoping to call him up on the basis that his grandfather is from these shores. And after what happened with Stuart Baxter and Joel Untersee and Nikola Tavares, who were unable to get their papers in time for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations finals in Egypt, there is no guarantee of this.

Tom Barkhuizen celebrates a goal

Kearyn Baccus

“He’s injured,” was Ntseki’s response after the Sudan game when asked if he was still interested in calling up Kearyn Baccus, who has already made an impression in the Absa Premiership since signing for Kaizer Chiefs this season. Baccus was born in Durban, though this is his first stint in the PSL, having grown up in Australia. He did play for the Australian Under-17 team, but has not played for the senior side and so would be available for Bafana. Baccus is another defensive midfielder, who can also get forward, though at 28 years-old, like with Jali, age is not completely on his side. In the short-term, however, Ntseki may feel like taking a punt on a player who could well return from injury for Chiefs in the Telkom Knockout semifinals on Sunday.

Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Kearyn Baccus.

Luther Singh

Luther Singh has been impressive in Portugal’s Primeira Liga again this season, on loan from SC Braga at Moreirense, as he was at Chaves, who he joined on loan from Braga in January. The young forward has had a mixed time with the senior national team previously, heavily criticised for a strange penalty that saw Bafana knocked out of the 2018 Cosafa Cup. Singh has, however, impressed for the Under-23 side in their bid to qualify for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, winning the Man-of-the-Match award in the draw with Nigeria that saw them make the semifinals. Singh also struck the bar on Tuesday with a brilliant free kick that would have levelled the scores as South Africa ended up losing their semifinal 3-0 to Egypt. It may well be that next year Singh will be ready to step up again to senior international football, a little more mature now, and certainly, at 22, with plenty still to offer.

Luther Singh. Pic: /BackpagePix

Tshegofatso Mabasa

Ntseki has indicated that he believes he needs to go overseas to find more striking talent for Bafana, but what of Tshegofatso Mabasa, who has been one of a few bright sparks in a dismal season thus far for Orlando Pirates. The 23 year-old joined Pirates from Bloemfontein Celtic this season, and has been the main reason the likes of Zambia’s Justin Shonga and Augustine Mulenga have not been able to get into the Buccaneers team on a regular basis. The young attacker has shown he certainly has an eye for goal, and while his form faded a bit just ahead of the November international break, if he can go on a goal trail again next year, Ntseki might just be forced to decide that local is still lekker after all.