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Cape Town - Sport24's Baden Gillion chooses who should make the Bafana Bafana starting line-up to face Senegal in Dakar on Tuesday, in a dead rubber clash after their 2018 Soccer World Cup dreams ended.
Stuart Baxter's men have only pride to play for after a 2-0 defeat at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Polokwane effectively ended their Russia 2018 campaign as Senegal sealed qualification.
I've made my selection for tonight's clash based on the players available to Baxter, who should be phased out with an eye on the future and lastly choosing a competitive team who actually stand a chance of winning.
Formation: (4-2-3-1)
Goalkeeper:
Ronwen Williams
Williams should be given the nod to gain as much international experience as possible to ensure that Baxter has an adequate back-up to Kaizer Chiefs' Itumeleng Khune at his disposal. If ever Khune is unavailable we need to have a capable replacement. Williams is undoubtedly talented but lacks confidence on the international stage.
Defenders:
Thamsanqa Mkhize, Moketjo Madisha, Thulani Hlathswayo, Tebogo Langerman
Mkhize is the only member of the defence who retains his place as there is no real cover at right-back. Captain Hlathswayo who the defence in future should be built around returns with Madisha and Langerman coming in for Morgan Gould and Sifiso Hlanti.
Midfielders:
Andile Jali, Kamohelo Mokotjo, Phakamani Mahlambi, Keagan Dolly, Percy Tau
A youthful looking midfield with technically gifted players who are all comfortable on the ball who should play a part in SA football in the future. We need to identify a core group of players and get them playing together as much as possible while bringing through talented youngsters from our junior ranks.
Striker:
Dino Ndlovu
Ndlovu is playing Champions League football while scoring goals regularly so the more he plays and is able to transfer his club form to Bafana the better. We have a serious problem with putting the ball in the back of the net so anyone in a rich vein of goal-scoring form should be undoubtedly starting.
So this would be my team with the only instructions to go out and express themselves and try to put some pride back into the shirt.
Starting XI: Williams - Mkhize, Madisha, Hlatshwayo, Langerman - Jali, Mokotjo, Mahlambi, Dolly, Tau - Ndlovu
