South Africa coach backs Sandilands and Williams

by Graeme Jackson

Tuesday Nov 07, 2017. 18:30

South Africa coach Stuart Baxter has given his support to back-up goalkeepers Wayne Sandilands and Ronwen Williams.

One or both of the duo may well be called upon for Bafana Bafana’s 2018 World Cup qualifiers against Senegal on November 10 and 14, as first-choice goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune is an injury doubt.

“I have total confidence in both keepers, absolute confidence. I can’t remember a goalkeeper that I have not seen throw one in. I have seen Itu throw them in as well,” said Baxter, as quoted by Kick-Off.

“I remember when I joined Chiefs, they showed me a free-kick which Itu threw in and I am thinking ‘that’s going to be my goalkeeper’. I have total confidence in whoever is going to play, if Itu does not play. Whoever plays will meet the challenge.”

Khune notably missed the back-to-back defeats at the hands of Cape Verde back in September, and although his return to the team coincided with a 3-1 win over Burkina Faso last month, Baxter doesn’t necessarily believe there is a causal relationship at play.

“I don’t think in terms of ‘when he played we won and they played we didn’t win’. You have got to believe in your players and they have to believe in themselves,” added the Bafana coach.

“If we keep worrying about what’s happened in the past, then we will struggle. That’s not going to enter my world. Whoever is in goals, I believe they can do the job and he needs to know that and give every thing he’s got. I am confident, with or without Itu.”