Publications
Partners
Cape Town - Former Bafana Bafana striker Philemon Masinga has backed Shakes Mashaba's decision to call up Tokelo Rantie, despite his lack of game time at Bournemouth.
The former Orlando Pirates striker has been called up to the South Africa team to face Mauritania in a next month.
Mashaba drew plenty of criticism around recent squad selections due to the player's limited playing time, but Masinga feels there shouldn't be issues with Rantie's addition to the squad.
"I do not think Shakes should panic as of yet about Rantie's fitness level because his team has only played two matches in which he did not feature," the 46-year old told Goal website.
"I want to believe that he still on the same level as his team-mates because the season just got underway and he played during their pre-season."
The former Leeds United forward believes that there's a good balance amongst the four forwards selected in the squad and remained upbeat about the national teams options.
"The coach has a good balance in the striking department because both Gabuza and Rantie are out and out strikers while the other two players are offensive players, who can be redeployed in different roles," he concluded.
