Ajax Cape Town are in Rustenburg tomorrow for a tricky PSL fixture against in-form Platinum Stars at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium (kickoff 3.30pm), and it’s another stage for Prince Nxumalo to demonstrate why he was called up to the Bafana Bafana squad.
Nxumalo has been in sensational goalscoring form since coming back from his problems with epilepsy. The goals have flowed – he has 11, second only to Collins Mbesuma of Mpumalanga Black Aces (12 goals) – and today is an opportunity for the 25-year-old to get a few more and move to the top of the PSL leading scorers’ list.
Not only have Nxumalo’s goals been crucial for an under-performing Ajax side, it has also led to national selection for the upcoming back-to-back 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Cameroon.
On March 26, Bafana take on Cameroon at the Stade Omnisport de Limbe, and the return fixture is scheduled for three days later at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.
As things stand, Bafana are bottom of the qualifying group and to remain in contention, they are going to have to try to win both games. So Nxumalo’s goalscoring presence will be vital to their cause.
“It’s a real dream come true for someone like me,” he said. “I was very excited the last time I got a call-up, but it didn’t go my way (he had to withdraw because of complications with epilepsy). This time, I will grab the opportunity and do my best for the national team, if I get the chance to play.”
Nxumalo is originally from Durban, but appears to have a special affinity for the Mother City. In 2010, Nxumalo signed for NFD team FC Cape Town. He had a brilliant two-year spell with the club, which resulted in a transfer to SuperSport United two years later.
In Pretoria, though, things didn’t go according to plan as he struggled to get game time. Last year, he joined Ajax and he’s found his form again.
“I think the Bafana coach has selected a very strong team,” said Nxumalo. “There are some very good strikers in the team, I look forward to training with them and being part of it all. I have dreamt about this moment since I was a little boy…”
While Nxumalo’s inclusion is a case of form being rewarded, there have been some serious questions marks about the squad selected by Bafana coach Shakes Mashaba.
The biggest concern, according to critics, is the fact that several of the players will be under-done – they haven’t been active at club level and, especially against a top team like the physical Cameroonians, are they match-ready?
Mashaba certainly thinks so, and he’s stuck to the players he knows. But here’s the issue… Thulani Serero is out of favour at Ajax Amsterdam, goalkeeper Jackson Mabokgwane is playing second fiddle to Shu-Aib Walters at Black Aces, while Itumeleng Khune has been out injured for quite a while and only made his return when Kaizer Chiefs lost 2-0 to Platinum Stars on Wednesday.
And then there’s Tokelo Rantie who, having recovered from injury recently, hasn’t even had a sniff of the first team at Bournemouth.
These are, ostensibly, some of Mashaba’s key men and, if they aren’t fully ready, rest assured, that the Indomitable Lions will take full advantage.
PSL fixtures
Today: MP Black Aces v University of Pretoria; Orlando Pirates v Jomo Cosmos
Tomorrow: Platinum Stars v Ajax Cape Town (Royal Bafokeng Stadium, 3.30pm); Bloemfontein Celtic v Free State Stars - Weekend Argus