Afcon 2019: Keet and Lorch miss out as Baxter names Bafana Bafana starting XI for Cote d'Ivoire clash

Ernest Makhaya

Afcon 2019: Keet and Lorch miss out as Baxter names Bafana Bafana starting XI for Cote d'Ivoire clash image

Bafana Bafana head coach Stuart Baxter has named what many feels is a controversial starting line-up for his side's Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) opener against Cote d'Ivoire. 

Darren Keet has been left out of the starting line-up despite his man-of-the-match performance in Bafana's final qualifier against Libya in March.   

Ronwen Williams will start between the sticks for the South Africans with Bidvest Wits trio of Thulani Hlatshwayo, S'fiso Hlanti and Buhle Mkhwanazi just in front of him. 

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Cape Town City skipper Thamsanqa Mkhize completes the back four ahead of Ramahlwe Mphahlele on the right-hand side. 

In midfield, Baxter opted for a combination of Dean Furman and Kamohelo Mokotjo while Hlompho Kekana and Bongani Zungu settle for a place on the substitutes bench. 

Thulani Serero and Thembinkosi Lorch didn't make the cut, as Baxter decided to go for the Mamelodi Sundowns duo of Themba Zwane and Lebohang Maboe as his preferred attacking midfielders. 

Lorch, who won the Footballer of the Year award at the PSL end-of-season awards in May, was tipped to start ahead of his peers in the first match. 

However, this hasn't been the case and Baxter's decision has caused a stir on social media with a section of fans divided on his team selection.  

 

As expected, Percy Tau and Lebo Mothiba will lead the attack against Cote d'Ivoire. 

The two attackers played together during the Afcon qualifying campaign.  

South Africa starting XI: Williams, Mkhize, Hlanti, Hlatshwayo, Mkhwanazi, Furman, Mokotjo, Zwane, Maboe, Tau and Mothiba. 

Ernest Makhaya