Five players who can step up for Bafana

Bafana final 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifier against Mauritania is a dead-rubber for the South Africans, but important for the new faces who have been picked for the future.

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Bafana Bafana’s final 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifier on Friday against Mauritania, a side that embarrassed them away in Nouakchott nearly a year ago, is a dead-rubber for the South Africans, but important for the new faces who have been picked for the future.

Here are the FIVE players that could use this match and the friendly against Egypt four days later to make a case for their selection ahead of the start of the 2018 World Cup qualifiers in October:

Abbubaker Mobara

Orlando Pirates’ new versatile defender has had the rest of the country swooning after his display at the Rio Olympic Games recently, especially over how he had Barcelona and Brazil superstar Neymar in his pocket when SA held the hosts to a goalless draw in their opening match. Mobara was a bit of a pedestrian in his Buccaneers’ debut at the weekend when they were beaten 2-1 by Bidvest Wits and crashed out of the MTN8 at the weekend. He was played in an unfamiliar role in central defence, but can handle with his ability to play any defensive role, something Bafana coach Shakes Mashaba will appreciate.

Denwin Farmer

His call-up was a surprise given that he’s hardly seen much game time at his club SuperSport United and has been overlooked by junior national team coaches. Part of that is because Farmer was injured a while back and lost his place in his side’s central defence, one that hasn’t stopped leaking goals. It is unlikely Mashaba will look to him in any of the World Cup qualifiers, not because his age (19), but simply due to the fact that he isn’t getting the experience he desperately needs as a fringe player for SuperSport.

Deolin Mekoa

The Maritzburg United winger didn’t really impress at the Olympics after he was played in various positions, but that won’t be the case if he gets his first cap for Bafana. There is plenty of competition, however, although it wouldn’t hurt to give him a run to see how he copes at this level. Being out in Rio would have helped Mekoa make great strides in preparing for regular international football even though he might be further down the pecking order. But just to get called up by Mashaba is enough to prove he is in the coach’s radar.

Maphosa Modiba

Definitely one for the future and looks to be on the rise since making his top-flight debut at Mpumalanga Black Aces last season, the kind of form he seems to have carried into the new campaign even after the club relocated to the Mother City and was renamed Cape Town City. Modiba can play at left-back as well as on the wing, giving coaches options. He’s only going to get better and even a brief cameo in these two upcoming Bafana matches will do his confidence a world of good.

Gift Motupa

It is a bit of a worry that his appearances for Pirates have been haphazard up to now, but he does deserve to be in the Bafana set-up on the evidence of his showing when in an Under-23 jersey. Motupa is one of the best at being in the right place at the right time, finding space behind defenders, but what he lacks is a proper finishing touch. He is unlikely to sharpen that if he is not getting a lot of game time at club level, a rather unfortunate situation because he has such huge potential. - Independent Media

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