The Serbian coach has been faced with somewhat of a headache in his selection process in recent matches, following the impressive performances of both Erasmus and Majoro, but the two are yet feature at the same time for Bucs.
Erasmus has notched up five goals in all competitions, while ‘super-sub’ Majoro has contributed four. With nine goals between the two, VV could possibly field both in a do-or-die, winner-takes-all final, but the gaffer has declined to reveal his plans for Saturday’s titanic match-up.
“It’s a good combination – Kermit and Majoro – and as long as it’s working, we will use both of them in that way [rotating]. And maybe in this game I’m going to change, you’ll never know,” says Vermezovic.
Another selection headache that the former Partizan coach is facing is in the left-back position, which has seen the ever-present Thabo Matlaba being replaced by Patrick Phungwayo, who has also put in two good performances in the former’s absence due to suspension.
With a terrific sense of humour, the usually intimidating coach shrugged off constant questions regarding whom he will select in his starting line-up in the much-anticipated match-up this weekend.
“I can’t tell you [who I will play], I will have to kill you,” joked VV.
However, Matlaba may regain his position at left back due to his recent exploits with Bafana Bafana in their AFCON qualifiers against Sudan and Nigeria respectively.
The versatile defender, who can play either as right-back or left-back, featured in both matches under new Bafana coach Shakes Mashaba and therefore lacks no match fitness coming into this weekend’s encounter.
It remains to be seen whether VV will opt for the element of surprise and sacrifice one of either Bibo Ntshumayelo or Issa Sarr to accommodate the inclusion of two strikers in Erasmus as well as Majoro, and whether to go for individual consistency in Matlaba or team continuity in Phungwayo.
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