Sifiso Hlanti insists it does not bother him whether or not he makes an immediate return to the Bafana Bafana starting line-up, when they take on Ethiopia in a Group G Fifa World Cup qualifier in Bahir Dar tomorrow.
Hlanti, who made a long-awaited move to Kaizer Chiefs this season, is one of the more experienced heads that Hugo Broos has added to his Bafana squad for these home-and-away games against Ethiopia, with the second match at FNB Stadium on Tuesday. Bafana know that two victories will keep them on top of Group G, and put them in an excellent position to make the final round of World Cup qualifying.
To the surprise of many, Broos used Nyiko Mobbie, usually a right back, at left back against Zimbabwe and Ghana last month, but the Sekhukhune United man did well, as Bafana did not concede a goal. Mobbie is still in the squad for the Ethiopia game, but Broos has seen fit to call on the wise head of Hlanti as well as in-form Cape Town City left back Terrence Mashego.
In a vital game like this, it might seem obvious Broos will turn to the experience of Hlanti, who played every minute of Bafana’s five games at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations finals in Egypt, though his international career stalled as his club career went into a short limbo, following the dissolution of Bidvest Wits at the end of the 2019/20 season.
“I don’t worry myself that much,” said Hlanti on his possible selection.
“I think the coach decided to choose two left-footers (Hlanti and Mashego), it is up to him, and I will respect any decision he takes.
“At the end of the day no one has a contract with the national team. It is a choice for the coach who will be in his starting eleven. I respect whoever is playing. Mashego is a good guy, he is doing well, and for me it is about giving him encouragement.”
Hlanti did make 18 appearances for Swallows FC last season, who snapped him up after a transfer ban prevented Gavin Hunt from getting his former Wits player to Chiefs. Even with Hunt sacked, Chiefs moved to bring in the left back and he has been a regular under Stuart Baxter this season, though he will miss the next couple of games following his red card in a goalless draw with Marumo Gallants.
Ethiopia are probably the underdogs in Group G, though they have, unlike Bafana, qualified for next year’s Africa Cup of Nations finals in Cameroon.
“I think what matters most is not to worry too much about opposition teams,” added Hlanti.
“But they are a good side, they can play and are willing to make things happen for themselves. So it is up to us, we don’t need to be afraid of the challenges facing us. I always tell myself, wherever you go, you need to stand up and show what you are good at.”
