Kickoff (Cape Town)
22 August 2008
Mamelodi Sundowns' technical director, veteran Ted Dumitru has expressed confidence on Mbulelo Mabizela, to the extent that he is of the opinion that 'OJ' could soon be competing for his place in Bafana Bafana again.
Bafana could be heading for more problems in their central defence position with the absence of skipper Aaron Mokoena ahead of their crucial World Cup/Africa Cup of Nations qualifier game against Nigeria set in Port Elizabeth next month.
Mokoena has been ruled out for the game against the Super Eagles due to suspension. The former national coach was commenting to KickOff.com.
The central defence position has been a major concern for some time. The partnership of Mokete Tsotetsi and Bongani Khumalo struggled when played together during the World Cup/Africa Cup of Nations qualifier game against Sierra Leone in June this year.
Now with Mokoena out of the game against Nigeria, Bafana's Brazilian coach Joel Santana could be having sleepless nights trying to find a good combination to contain the likes of Yakubu Aiyegbeni, Nwankwo Kanu and Obafemi Martins.
Dumitru concurred that the central defence has been Bafana's weakest link in the team's performance over the past three years.
Dumitru added that while he did not want it to appear that he was campaigning for players from Sundowns to be selected for Bafana, he believed Mabizela was on the right track to reclaim his central position in the squad.
"We are struggling to find players with great talent and experience at international level to play in that position.
"OJ has been consistent in his past few games. He is solid and has the skill to play at the back. He is in top form and I think soon he will be vying for a place in the Bafana squad."
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