With Innocent Maela and Paseka Mako ruled out of the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations finals in January/February 2024, Stellenbosch FC coach Steve Barker has offered Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos a solution.
In the absence of the two, Broos recently used Aubrey Modiba in that position, but the Mamelodi Sundowns star is out injured.
Barker, whose Stellies are in the Carling Knockout Cup final, has picked three players who could easily fit in at Bafana. One of the players would solve Broos’ left-back issues.
“I believe he [Deano Van Rooyen] showed consistency over a number of years now,” Barker told the media. “He’s getting caps week in and week out. The maturity and energy he shows. He’s the type of player who, if the coach needs somebody with energy, gets in behind and causes teams problems.”
While the coach acknowledges potential size concerns for the African style of play, he firmly believes in the player’s talent and thinks a trial is warranted.
“I believe that he will do a job. Maybe they feel the size is for an African type of football, and that may be the reason. Besides that, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t be getting at least a look.”
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“The same can be said for a couple of players, I think [Fawaaz] Basadien also deserves the opportunity and one or two others.” The 26-year-old has been a regular feature in the Stellies outfit. He has played 16 games this season, providing five assists in the process.
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“So hopefully, Jayden Adams can keep his position for AFCON, and maybe with some luck, we can have another addition to the squad. Even a player like Sage Stephens has been showing remarkable form and may deserve an opportunity amongst many others.”
Stellenbosch FC will now shift their focus to the Carling Knockout Cup final. They will meet TS Galaxy on the 16th of December, hoping to land their maiden cup title.