Towering defender, Thulani Hlatshwayo, will lead Bafana Bafana of South Africa when they tackle Super Eagles in a 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo on Saturday.
The Bidvest Wits of South Africa star is one of the key players in the Bafana Bafana squad, whose stand out quality during matches have helped to lift the team to victories.
Head Coach, Stuart Baxter, while confirming Hlatshwayo as Bafana Bafana permanent captain, yesterday, noted that the choice of the influential player was necessary because of his leadership quality on and off the pitch.
Baxter, who named his 25-man squad for the Uyo cracker, last month with victory in his mind, believes that the likes of Hlashwayo can inspire his teammates to achieve the result.
“I am happy with the people who have come in and disappointed that some had to withdraw. Captain’s armband should be valued, not rotated and moved across 16 players. So this is permanent. Hlatshwayo will captain Bafana Bafana. He has all qualities of a captain, playing regularly, has experience and leads by example,” Baxter said on SAFA’s official Twitter account.
Libya and Seychelles are the other two teams awaiting the Super Eagles and Bafana Bafana in the Group E qualifiers. At the end of the round robin qualifiers, the top team will seal a place in the 2019 AFCON finals to be hosted by Cameroon.
Meanwhile, Baxter, has confirmed that several of his players in the Bafana Bafana camp are currently being treated for injuries, just as he has revealed his technical assistants for the game.
The injured players are Lebogang Manyama, Andile Jali, Tokelo Rantie, Tiyani Mabunda, Aubrey Ngoma, Rivaldo Coetzee and Eric Mathoho.
“Manyama, Jali, Rantie, Mabunda, Ngoma, Coetzee and Mathoho all carrying assortment of injuries They are being treated by BafanaBafana medical team,” the Bafana Coach added.