Mosimane wants to see the old Tokelo Rantie

by Staff Reporter

Tuesday Sep 17, 2019. 16:00

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane believes a fit Tokelo Rantie will be a real asset to his side, but admits he is unsure whether the former Bafana Bafana forward will reach the heights of previously in his career.

Rantie, 29, has not kicked a ball in anger for two years after walking out of Turkish side Gençlerbirliği in October 2017, and briefly gave up the game before trying to make a comeback at Cape Town City last year.

He could not get his level of fitness right though and was released by the club, with Sundowns the latest to give him a chance to rekindle his career.

Mosimane worked with the former Malmo and Bournemouth forward previously with the national team previously and says if he can get his fitness back, he can be a real asset for the team.

“I have good memories of him being a powerhouse, him playing to his strength. He’s not a Themba Zwane, he’s not a [Gaston] Sirino. I think you know Tokelo,” Mosimane told reporters on Tuesday.

“He is not going to give you the magic that you want, but he’s powerful when he’s fit. He has trained and his condition is okay.

“I have good memories of Tokelo playing for Bafana. I have good memories of Tokelo going to Cape Verde and scoring for Bafana. I have good memories of Tokelo going to Nigeria and scoring two goals for Bafana. I have those memories.

“Whether we are going to get that or not, I don’t know. It’s been two years and he has not kicked a ball.

Mosimane also likened Rantie’s situation to that of two former players who had their careers affected by off-field issues.

“If Lerato Chabangu can get enough chances to play football, [Masibusane] Zongo … I mean you can just name them. Why can’t we give Tokelo a chance to play?”