South Africa have depleted side for Socceroos clash but best player Thulani Serero will feature

IT may be an under-strength side, but Bafana Bafana will have at least one player capable of causing the Socceroos problems on Monday night.

IT may be an under-strength side, but Bafana Bafana will have at least one player capable of causing the Socceroos a few problems at ANZ Stadium on Monday night.

South Africa arrive in Australia on Friday, a day later than planned, after hurriedly putting a squad together following the withdrawal of 11 key players at the last minute.

But dynamic midfielder Thulani Serero, who is arguably South Africa’s best player, is a confirmed member of coach Gordon Igesund’s depleted squad on its way to Sydney.

The 24-year-old has just completed his season at Ajax Amsterdam, where he was a crucial part of manager Frank de Boer’s title-winning side.

Thulani Serero had a great season with Ajax.

In fact, Socceroos midfielder Tommy Oar, who has come up against Serero with his Dutch club FC Utrecht, reckons the South African was Ajax’s stand-out player this season.

“He’s a fantastic player,” Oar said.

“He is small in stature, but he is technically excellent and will certainly be one of the main playmakers in the South African team.

“He’s one of the best, if not the best, player at Ajax, which is a huge club in Holland and we will have to watch him in the middle of midfield for sure.”

Socceroos defender Jason Davidson, who also plays in Holland with Heracles Almelo, says Australia will be wary of Serero.

“He’s a very sharp and technically strong player who likes to play in behind and float between the lines to create trouble,” Davidson said.

“He has scored quite a few goals with Ajax and we will have to keep an eye on him when we play South Africa on Monday night.”

While the majority of the squad play in South Africa’s domestic soccer league, Ayanda Patosi is another European-based player slowly making a name for himself.

The 21-year-old midfielder plays for Belgium club Lokeren and caught the attention of Ajax and Chelsea during the season.

But it’s Serero who will pose the biggest threat for the Socceroos in their farewell match before heading off to Brazil.

He scored six goals in his 45 appearances for his Amsterdam club this season, including the opener in Ajax’s famous 2-1 win over Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League.

Serero is versatile enough to be a holding midfielder, a box-to-box midfielder or a central attacking one. South Africa will need him to be all three on Monday night.

Originally published as South Africa have depleted side for Socceroos clash but best player Thulani Serero will feature