AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS
Baxter opts for youth in squad to take on Libya
Bafana Bafana coach Stuart Baxter named Lebogang Mothiba‚ Siphesihle Ndlovu and Teboho Mokoena as young faces in his squad to face Libya in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Durban in September. SA meet Libya at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Septem-ber 8. Lille striker Mothiba has been scoring in France’s Ligue 1. Midfielders Ndlovu of Maritzburg United and Mokoena of SuperSport United impressed Baxter on duty in the Cosafa Cup in late May and June. "The average age of this squad is 26.4‚ which knocks 18 months off the squad [from Bafana’s World Cup-qualifying defeat against Senegal in November 2017]‚" Baxter said. Bafana started their qualifying campaign with a 2-0 win against Nigeria in Uyo in June 2017 — SA’s first competitive win against the Super Eagles — in Baxter’s first game in charge. Libya, who are ranked 101st in the world, kicked off their campaign by thrashing the Seychelles 5-1 in Tripoli. SA are ranked 74th. Bafana players often underestimate less-renowned Africa...
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