Stuart Baxter has said he expects Andile Jali‚ and all Bafana Bafana players‚ to be in shape when they arrive for national team camps.
KV Oostende midfielder Jali was noticeably carrying weight when he played in Bafana’s home friendlies under Owen Da Gama against Guinea-Bissau and Angola in March.
Baxter said he will expect his national team players to arrive at camp in good physical condition.
The new Bafana coach also said he is aware that Jali‚ called up this week for Bafana’s 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Nigeria on June 10‚ has a reputation as a fiery character‚ but that when managed right‚ those can be the best players in a team.
- Bafana coach Baxter ropes in Manchester United scout to spy on Nigeria in FranceStuart Baxter has done his research on Nigeria while juggling two jobs‚ and knows he will need it with the Super Eagles having camped in France for three weeks ahead of their 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Bafana Bafana.
“Andile Jali I liked as a player when he was here in South Africa. I like his character‚” Baxter said.
“I don’t think he’s the easiest player to have – I think he’s got an opinion about a few things and is a fiery character.
“But it’s like when we were at the English FA and they’d be assisting me in selecting the (England U-20) team‚ and say‚ ‘This is a good lad’.
“And I’d say‚ ‘Yeah‚ but he’s a good tourist. He doesn’t cause anybody any problems‚ he wonders around – but he’s probably a pretty boy player as well’.
- Baxter happy with drawStuart Baxter omitted Thulani Serero from his maiden Bafana Bafana squad to take on Nigeria next month, but he contacted the Ajax Amsterdam player to explain his decision.
“Where I think you’ve got to manage some of these more fiery characters.
“What I will say is that I expect every national player to be a role model. Andile‚ Bongani Zungu‚ or whoever.
“I expect them to make sure that when they get to camp they’re in the best possible condition.
“Now that’s not just Andile‚ that’s everybody‚ and I will be telling the whole squad that.
“I want to tell them about some of the pride in wearing the shirt – and I don’t talk about the shirt‚ because you can buy the shirt at the airport.
- Safa leaves nothing to chance ahead of tricky away qualifier against NigeriaWith Nigeria known as one of the tougher away football venues in Africa‚ South African Football Association (Safa) officials have left nothing to chance for next month’s qualifier‚ sending Bafana Bafana team manager Barney Kujane to scout facilities on May 15.
“It’s the badge‚ and everything that goes into his badge. It’s your father driving you to training‚ or your mother washing your kit‚ or the coach who gave you some simple advice‚ or it may just be the fact that you love this country.
“All those things that are dear to you go into your badge and you can’t buy that at the airport.
“So I would encourage every Bafana player to be proud of his badge‚ and to make sure that he does everything he can to fulfill the responsibility that is put on his shoulders.”
Baxter’s first assignment in his second stint as Bafana coach is against the 40th-ranked 2013 Afcon champions Nigeria in Uyo.
- TMG Digital/TMG Sport
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