Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso - Eleazar Rodgers got the nod ahead of Thamsanqa Gabuza and will lead the attack for Bafana Bafana in their opening 2018 World Cup qualifier against Burkina Faso at the Stade du 4 Aout on Saturday night.
The decision taken by coach Shakes Mashaba doesn’t really come as a surprise given the fact that Gabuza, who has established himself in the national team set-up with crucial goals in the past year, has not been playing for his club Orlando Pirates.
Rodgers, on the other hand, has hit the ground running at Bidvest Wits after joining the Milpark-based side prior to the 2016-17 season from Platinum Stars. He has managed two goals in seven matches from all domestic competitions so far, but his contribution has been immense, including a goal and an assist in the MTN8 final last weekend. Wits beat Mamelodi Sundowns 3-0 at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit to hand coach Gavin Hunt his first trophy since arriving at the club nearly four years ago.
Tonight will only be Rodgers’ second appearance in Bafana colours following his return to the national team fold since sitting on the bench in a 2014 World Cup qualifier against Ethiopia at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium, a 1-1 draw, four years ago under then coach Pitso Mosimane. It’s a rare opportunity for him to get stuck in and help South Africa get off to a dream start in a group that includes Senegal and Cape Verde, two sides who will face off in Dakar later on Saturday night.
Kick-off for Bafana’s clash with Burkina Faso here is 8pm SA time.
Bafana starting line-up:
Itumeleng Khune, Thulani Hlatshwayo (captain), Mulomowandau Mathoho, Ramahlwe Mphahlele, Thabo Matlaba, Hlompho Kekana, Dean Furman, Mpho Makola, Keagan Dolly, Thulani Serero, Eleazar Rodgers.
@superjourno
@extrastrongsa
Independent Media