No one guaranteed a Bafana spot – Dikgacoi

Gone are the days when players were guaranteed places in the Bafana Bafana team.

Midfielder Kagisho Dikgacoi has conceded competition was very tough in the Bafana team and everyone will have to fight for his place in the team.

Dikgacoi used to be the team’s first choice in the middle of the park, but the arrival of Dean Furman has changed all that as it has intensified the competition.

Dikgacoi was full of praise for the Oldham Athletic midfielder, saying his arrival has re-energised the team and added the competition. He said it was good for the team to have healthy competition.

“I am happy for Dean as he has done well since he came to the national team. It is good that we have healthy competition and no one is guaranteed a place. We can only improve from this situation,” said the Crystal Palace midfielder.

After starting the game against Cape Verde, Dikgacoi was dropped to the bench as Furman took the centre stage, but he is expected to return to the line-up against Mali on Saturday.

He said he had completely recovered from the troublesome knee, which kept him out of the game against Angola.

But he said he was ready to face the physically imposing Malians on Saturday.

“They have got good-quality players and it is going to be tough for us. We just have to be positive and approach the game in a good state of mind,” said Dikgacoi.