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Baxter issues warning to Bafana Bafana players

Cape Town - Bafana Bafana coach Stuart Baxter has warned his 30-man provisional squad for the AFCON that no one is guaranteed to start in his first-11.

Baxter went further and added he would remove players from the squad that did not consider themselves to be bench players.

In the past the likes of Kermit Erasmus and Thulani Serero have fallen out with team management after being selected for the national team but then were left either on the bench or in the stands.

As such, the former Kaizer Chiefs mentor said he would not be tolerating that sort of behaviour and he would cut his squad down to size if any prima-donnas emerged.

He said: "If any of the squad that we've picked there want to tell the leadership of the national team that they are not bench players, then they will be removed from the list.

"I don't think that Kermit, in a sensible moment, would make that sort of comment. But I can understand when people tell him that 'you should have been in the squad'.

"So rather than listen to comments made by players in their disappointment, I would rather, in a calm moment, select them for the squad and in a calm moment have a discussion with them about 'I can't guarantee a place'.

"Benni (McCarthy, Cape Town City coach) would have to guarantee him a place and put his arm around him and make him feel some love."

Bafana are in a tough Group D for the upcoming tournament in Egypt alongside Ivory Coast, Morocco and Namibia.

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