Mashaba's Bafana change surprises Tovey

Mashaba's Bafana change surprises Tovey

Former Bafana Bafana star, Neil Tovey, has expressed surprise at one of the changes head coach, Shakes Mashaba, made to his starting XI for the AFCON showdown with Senegal tonight.

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Mashaba has picked Jackson Mabokgwane ahead of Darren Keet in goal, while Eric Mathoho has replaced injured defender Rivaldo Coetzee.

Tovey, who lead Bafana to the Nations Cup title back in 1996, says he is somewhat surprised by the changes.

''We're not close to the camp so we're not quite sure how Keet has taken the 3-1 defeat and obviously he was to blame for the third goal. We are not quite sure how the mood is with the goalkeepers at the camp. What baffles me is that Jackson has been picked ahead of Brilliant Khuzwayo, but then again as we said we're not there at the camp. Obviously, Tower coming in is an obvious change with Rivaldo Coetzee out injured and we do need the height at the back,'' he said.

South Africa and Senegal clash tonight at Stade de Mongomo in Equitorial Guinea. Kick-off is at 9pm SA time.

Both Mathoho and Mabokgwane are playing in their first Afcon tournament.

Bafana Bafana XI:

Mabokgwane(GK), Ngcongca, Matlaba, Hlatshwayo, Mathoho; Furman (C), Jali, Manyisa, Phala, Vilakazi, Rantie

Subs:

Keet (GK), Khuzwayo (GK), Gcaba, Sangweni, Zwane, Masango, Zungu, Parker, Nhlapho, Ndulula, Letsholonyane.

(File photo: Gallo Images)

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