Ex-Bafana coach Alex Heredia backs Ricardo Goss to start against Kenya

Former Bafana Bafana goalkeeper coach Alex Heredia believes Ricardo Goss should replace Ronwen Williams if the captain is unavailable for South Africa’s back-to-back Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Kenya on 13 and 17 November.

Heredia described Pitso Mosimane’s goalkeeping options as “complicated”, but said Goss had the experience and recent form to be selected ahead of Sipho Chaine.

Mosimane named his final squad on Thursday, including Williams, who has 69 caps, Goss, who has seven, and Chaine, who has made five international appearances.

Williams has missed Mamelodi Sundowns’ past couple of matches because of injury concerns. Goss started in his place and kept clean sheets against Marumo Gallants and Golden Arrows as Sundowns advanced to the Carling Knockout semi-finals.

“It’s a complicated situation,” Heredia said.

“This is quite interesting. Look, the number one, of course, is Ronwen. There’s no discussion. But, honestly, if Ronwen is not there, to me, Goss can be the solution,” he added.

Heredia acknowledged that Chaine had also been producing consistently, but said the two younger goalkeepers remained some distance behind Williams in terms of international experience.

“Yeah, look, it’s something to be very careful about, because there’s also Chaine, who always keeps clean sheets. But Goss and Chaine’s problem is their lack of international experience. There’s a big difference between them and Ronwen.”

Heredia chooses Goss

The former goalkeeper coach said Goss had spent enough time within the Bafana Bafana set-up to warrant the starting position if Williams could not play.

“If Ronwen is not available, well, probably Goss. I would pick him to start against Kenya. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with Chaine, but Goss, like I said, has been around for too long in the national team,” Heredia said.

Chaine started Bafana Bafana’s most recent match, a friendly victory over Egypt, and was handed the captain’s armband. Goss entered the game shortly after the hour mark.

That appearance means both goalkeepers have recent involvement with the national side, although Heredia’s preference is based on Goss’s longer association with the squad and his opportunity to step in for Sundowns while Williams has been absent.

South Africa will face Kenya on 13 November before the return fixture on 17 November, with the two matches forming the team’s next Africa Cup of Nations qualifying assignments.