Bafana Bafana’s prodigal son Thulani Serero has had a change of heart.
The South African playmaker has returned to the national team fold after a year in the wilderness since snubbing a call-up and subsequently being banned by Safa.
But after a heart-to-heart with coach Stuart Baxter, the Vitesse midfielder has set his personal issues to the side and is ready to give his all for the team.
And ahead of Saturday’s Afcon 2019 qualifying showdown with Group E leaders Nigeria, the former Ajax Cape Town ace says he has nothing to prove when he takes to the pitch.
The 2010/11 SA Player of the Year says: “I think we shouldn’t make this about me. The most important thing is to win.
“It’s not really about me, but what matters is that we get the three points to be able to qualify for the African Cup of Nations.”
WARY: Boss Stuart Baxter. Photo: SAMUEL SHIVAMBU/BACKPAGEPIX
The 28-year-old adds: “There was just a simple conversation [with Baxter] and we understood each other, and I’m here and I’m happy to be part of the team, which is the most important thing.”
Baxter, meanwhile, won’t underestimate a Super Eagles weakened by injuries to key players – including Afcon top scorer Odion Ighalo.
The boss says: “Nigeria have got such depth that I don’t need to go into too much individual detail because if Ighalo doesn’t play they have [Kelechi] Iheanacho.
“I will be more worried about what our players do.
“Yes, we will have a game plan and we hope it will suit them badly.
“I don’t think I can fill my players with what the Nigerians can do to us. We have to know that, accept that and get on with the game.”
matthew.marcus@inl.co.za