Bafana Bafana coach Stuart Baxter sprung a surprise by handing a start to SuperSport United winger Aubrey Modiba for Saturday’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Seychelles.
Modiba was a strange late addition to the Bafana squad a few days after Baxter had named his group.
It is understood that his cracking strike from a free kick for Matsatsantsa a Pitori against Polokwane City on Tuesday, October 2 saw Baxter call on him on the Wednesday.
Safa said on their website at the time that the 23-year-old, who used to play for Cape Town City, “was one of the young players Baxter took to Zambia for the Four Nations tournament, and was one of the key performers in this year’s Cosafa Senior Men’s National Team tournament that took place in Polokwane”.
Modiba effectively replaces the injured Vincent Pule, and is joined in midfield by regulars Dean Furman and Kamohelo Mokotjo, as well as Mamelodi Sundowns’ Lebohang Maboe.
French-based striker Lebo Mothiba also earns a starting berth alongside Percy Tau, while the established back-four of Ramahlwe Mphahlele, Buhle Mkhwanazi, Thulani Hlatshwayo and Sifiso Hlanti remains in place in front of Itumeleng Khune.
Kickoff is at 3pm at the FNB Stadium.
Taking no prisoners. Bafana Bafana sharpening their scoring instincts ahead of Saturday game against Seychelles at FNB Stadium pic.twitter.com/wYtiM4xkkU
— Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) October 9, 2018
Bafana Bafana Team
Itumeleng Khune, Ramahlwe Mphahlele, Sifiso Hlanti, Buhle Mkhwanazi, Thulani Hlatshwayo, Aubrey Modiba, Dean Furman, Lebohang Maboe, Kamohelo Mokotjo, Percy Tau, Lebo Mothiba.
Substitutes: Ronwen Williams, Lebogang Phiri, Dino Ndlovu, Hlompho Kekana, Teboho Mokoena, Innocent Maela, Siyanda Xulu.
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