Test Drive Feb 2015 | Page 17

Bafana Bafana Not converting chances Tokelo Rantie’s penalty miss against Algeria could have secured three points for Bafana Bafana just before the hour mark. However, the Burnemouth striker blasted his penalty against the upright. Bafana Bafana failed to convert clear scoring opportunities in all their three matches and this led to the team to surrender their lead and eventually losing. Tokelo Rantie rues a missed penalty during Bafana Bafana’s opening match against Algeria. Injuries and Suspensions Going down... Bafana Bafana slipped 4 places in the latest FIFA Rankings folowing a disappointing Africa Cup of Nations campaign. The poor performance also see Bafana Bafana go down two places to number 14 in the latest CAF Rankings. RANKINGS Federation FIFA CAF Previous 52 12 Current 56 14 Eric Mathoho (far right) was not available for Bafan Bafana’s AFCON 2015 opening fixture. What Shakes says... “If you look at our selection criteria, the main thing is current form. But still I don’t have any regrets about the team selection; the players who are here have done well. “Having those players in the team would not have guaranteed us doing well in the tournament. Perhaps people would have loved to see those players in the squad but they were not here. “I don’t have any regrets, and I believe the squad we assembled is one of the best and they gave a good account of themselves.” safa.net AFCON 2015: The Review 17 PHOTOS: afcononline.com Bafana Bafana went to their first AFCON 2015 fixture without the services of central defender Eric Mathoho, midfielder Reneilwe Letsholonyane both due to suspension and right back Rivaldo Coetzee due to injury. This forced Mashaba to replace the duo with Anele Ngcongca and Thulani Hlatshwayo respectively. Hlatshwayo had to be replaced during the match agaisnt Senegal after sustaining an injury. Regular changes between the sticks and in the backline saw Mashaba’s men lack organisation at the back.