Kermit leapfrogs into the attack

Shakes Mashaba yesterday addressed lingering concerns from his first Bafana Bafana squad when he picked a more solid and experienced side.

The Bafana coach revealed that Thulani Serero and Kermit Erasmus had returned to help solve the scoring crisis.

But his handling of the captaincy continues to raise eyebrows.

Itumeleng Khune, permanent skipper under Mashaba's predecessor, Gordon Igesund, is out injured. However, Mashaba said even if the Chiefs goalkeeper were available, the captaincy would still be up for grabs.

Senzo Meyiwa stepped in for Khune as both first choice keeper and captain, but this is a temporary arrangement, the coach said.

Mashaba also briefly diverted from his Vision 2022 mantra by recalling Reneilwe Letsholonyane, the 32-year-old midfielder who is Kaizer Chiefs' leading goalscorer this season.

Bafana face Congo Brazzaville away on October 11 and then at home four days later in Group A of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Yesterday, Mashaba made notable changes and brought back two players he omitted from the qualifiers against Sudan and Nigeria earlier this month - Ajax Amsterdam talisman Serero and Orlando Pirates hitman Erasmus.

"Kermit deserves a chance because he has been scoring goals and we need to continue to look for a solution for that. The same goes for Serero," said Mashaba.

While the new Bafana held their own against African champions Nigeria in a goalless draw at the Cape Town Stadium two weeks ago, Mashaba lamented not having a leader in defence.

"That is why I had to use Anele [Ngcongca] in central defence when he would usually play right-back. We found there was no communication at the back and he did most of the talking during training sessions, hence we put him there."

Other "new faces" in what is likely to be an ever-changing Bafana back four are Tefu Mashamaite of Chiefs and Maritzburg United's Kwanda Mngonyama. The presence of these two, and Eric Mathoho, will give Mashaba comfort.