Gaxa could be Bafana weapon
Anele Ngcongca is suspended for the Mali quarterfinal, but Bafana Bafana coach Gordon Igesund believes he is gaining a player in Siboniso Gaxa rather than losing one.
Belgium-based Ngcongca is suspended for Saturday’s quarterfinal with two yellow cards and is likely to be replaced by Gaxa, a man with over 50 caps for his country.
“Everything happens for a reason. I mean, Anele Ngcongca got his yellow card, but there are never any guarantees that you are the No 1. Everyone is working very hard for their place in the starting team,” Igesund said.
“Gaxa has been working very hard and now I believe his opportunity will come. I actually think he is probably the right player to play in this game.
“Even with Anele available I might have gone for Gaxa because of his ability to attack. So it has actually turned into a positive.
“The way this team (Mali) plays we need to attack them so we will do that as best we can.”
Igesund confirmed to the media that all injured players are in training and that he is not worried ahead of the big game at Moses Mabhida Stadium this weekend.
“The injuries are fine. Everyone is here. (Lehlohonolo) Majoro is here, but he will run without any contact. Tomorrow he will do the same and on Thursday he will train full on with the ball,” the coach said.
Meanwhile May Mahlangu, who limped off the field after the pulsating clash with Morocco, was back in training on Monday and looked his usual self.
