BY KUNLE SOLAJA.

Coach Stuart Baxter of Bafana Bafana has had his headaches compounded as he know think of including Thulani Serero in his starting line-up in the grudge-laden match with Nigeria on Saturday.

Serero has been a controversial footballer in South Africa having declined invitations in the past, especially in a vital World Cup 2018 qualifying duel with Senegal. He went on exile, so to say. He is now dubbed the prodigal son in South African football.

He had a change of mind and decided to be part of the match with Nigeria on Saturday. He however sustained injuries while on club assignment making him doubtful for the Nigerian encounter.

For the greater part of the week while the Bafana Bafana trained at Steyn City School in Johannesburg, Serero was not part of the genera; training sessions.

He was involved only in light exercises. But on Thursday, he seemed to have regained match fitness making Coach Baxter to try different attacking combinations.

Observers claim that Serero appeared in all the probable starting teams. According to SowetanLive, Baxter wouldn’t commit on whether he would be in the line-up, but insisted Serero was in the right frame of mind after a year out of the national team.

“He’s had an [ankle] injury that’s prevented him from proper training for the week. So it’s not just about throwing him in and let him swim or sink, but the players and staff have reacted well to him,” Baxter noted.

“If you look at the whole situation, it’s one where he took the initiative [to come back], and I believe he deserves that chance.

“If he starts or he’s on the bench, that’s not 100% yet.”

Bidvest Wits trio Sifiso Hlanti, Thulani Hlatshwayo, and Buhle Mkhwanazi are destined for their starting berths in defence, while Cape Town City fullback Thamsanqa Mkhize may get the nod ahead of Ramahlwe Mphahlele of Kaizer Chiefs.

Baxter further said all the players were ready and, in a last-ditch effort, he’s appealed for the nation’s support.

“Yeah, it’s very important. We can have our opinions about how things in the bigger perspective are going, but we are trying to develop a new team and at the same time win games – that’s not the easiest thing to do.

“I don’t think we should lose track of the fact that we all want the same thing; we are all taking part.

“I would like to make it intimidating there on the field for the Nigerians and intimidating up there [in the stands]. I hope all South Africans will come and support, give us that extra support.”

Meanwhile, Mphahlele said it was vital to go for a win.

“We will obviously go for a win to qualify. We are playing at home, but we can’t be naive and say we beat them [2-0] in Nigeria and therefore it’s an obvious game,” said the right-back,” said Mphahlele.