Two overseas-based strikers not considered for recent Bafana Bafana squads have hit form in Europe in recent weeks, bringing into stark reality the scoring troubles of the national side.
Dino Ndlovu and Tokelo Rantie have both been lauded for recent performances but are unlikely to feature for the national side while Ephraim "Shakes" Mashaba remains in charge.
Both, it would appear, have lost interest in wearing the national team jersey while the current regime is in charge, joining the likes of Kamohelo Mokotjo and Kermit Erasmus in semi-international retirement.
Ndlovu scored a brace for his Azerbaijan club Qarabag as they won a domestic cup fixture 5-0 against Sebail. It followed a crucial winner in a top-of-the-table league clash against Qabala.
That is now six goals in 12 starts for Ndlovu with his team, and 24 goals in 38 starts since the beginning of last season, if you include his time at Cypriot side Anorthosis Famagusta.
No other South African striker can come close to matching that mark in the Premier Soccer League or European football, yet Ndlovu's last appearance for the national team was in March 2014. He has been called up by Mashaba, but not given a chance on the pitch.
Rantie broke his duck at Turkish side Genclerbirligi last week when he netted the winner in a famous cup victory for his team away at giants Fenerbahce. That was his first club goal in more than two years.
- TMG Digital
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