Publications
Partners
Johannesburg - South African Under-23 coach Shakes Mashaba doesn't know why defender Ramahlwe Mphahlele has pulled out of his side.
Amaglug-glug are set to face Zimbabwe in an All Africa Games qualifier first-leg in Daveyton on Saturday.
Mphahlele was recalled by his club, Moroka Swallows, this week and asked to be excluded for the match on Saturday.
Last week, ahead of Baby Bafana's crucial Olympic qualifier against Benin - facing a 3-1 deficit from the first leg - Mashaba was without Andile Jali (Orlando Pirates), Thulani Serero (Ajax Amsterdam), Kamohelo Mokotjo (Feyernoord) and Isaac Hlatshwayo (Ajax Cape Town), as these players' clubs requested that they be given a rest.
"Ramahlwe has been pulled out, but I really don't know the situation as yet," Mashaba said.
The reason given by Swallows' communications and brand manager, Siyabonga Sangweni, was that Mphahlele was asked to return from camp because the club would be starting "crucial" pre-season training on Monday.
"It was because we have a very important pre-season process that will begin soon and it is important that he is a part of the programme," Sangweni said.
This has nonetheless done little to dampen the mood in Mashaba's camp ahead of their tie against the Zimbabweans - especially after last week's 5-1 thrashing of Benin which put them through to the group stages of the 2012 London Olympic qualifiers.
Their clash with Zimbabwe is the last stage of the African Games qualifiers. The continental tournament is set to take place in Maputo later this year.
Mashaba said he felt his side should make the most of their home-ground advantage and utilise their biggest strengths up front to have a cushion for the away leg in two weeks time.
"Last week's result is forgotten. We are trying to make sure that there is not much difference in terms of our preparation for Saturday," Mashaba said.
"I have not seen this Zimbabwe side play but I feel that they should be more or less like Benin.
"If we can go to the away second leg with at least a three-goal advantage I will be happy.
"We have to maintain our offensive game of trying to go forward quickly to try and unsettle them, and continue to play the ball behind their defence."
A slight concern lingered over the back four, prone to losing concentration and letting in goals at crucial times.
"Yes, it still a concern," Mashaba said.
"I feel that we nearly gave it away last week even though the defence was good. We need to make sure that we keep the same level."
Amaglug-glug are set to face Zimbabwe in an All Africa Games qualifier first-leg in Daveyton on Saturday.
Mphahlele was recalled by his club, Moroka Swallows, this week and asked to be excluded for the match on Saturday.
Last week, ahead of Baby Bafana's crucial Olympic qualifier against Benin - facing a 3-1 deficit from the first leg - Mashaba was without Andile Jali (Orlando Pirates), Thulani Serero (Ajax Amsterdam), Kamohelo Mokotjo (Feyernoord) and Isaac Hlatshwayo (Ajax Cape Town), as these players' clubs requested that they be given a rest.
"Ramahlwe has been pulled out, but I really don't know the situation as yet," Mashaba said.
The reason given by Swallows' communications and brand manager, Siyabonga Sangweni, was that Mphahlele was asked to return from camp because the club would be starting "crucial" pre-season training on Monday.
"It was because we have a very important pre-season process that will begin soon and it is important that he is a part of the programme," Sangweni said.
This has nonetheless done little to dampen the mood in Mashaba's camp ahead of their tie against the Zimbabweans - especially after last week's 5-1 thrashing of Benin which put them through to the group stages of the 2012 London Olympic qualifiers.
Their clash with Zimbabwe is the last stage of the African Games qualifiers. The continental tournament is set to take place in Maputo later this year.
Mashaba said he felt his side should make the most of their home-ground advantage and utilise their biggest strengths up front to have a cushion for the away leg in two weeks time.
"Last week's result is forgotten. We are trying to make sure that there is not much difference in terms of our preparation for Saturday," Mashaba said.
"I have not seen this Zimbabwe side play but I feel that they should be more or less like Benin.
"If we can go to the away second leg with at least a three-goal advantage I will be happy.
"We have to maintain our offensive game of trying to go forward quickly to try and unsettle them, and continue to play the ball behind their defence."
A slight concern lingered over the back four, prone to losing concentration and letting in goals at crucial times.
"Yes, it still a concern," Mashaba said.
"I feel that we nearly gave it away last week even though the defence was good. We need to make sure that we keep the same level."
