Bafana’s Key Men – Thembinkosi Fanteni
Bafana’s Key Men – Thembinkosi Fanteni
Posted: 2008-03-25 10:16
After a tough start to his career in Israel with Maccabi Haifa, Bafana Bafana striker Thembinkosi Fanteni is starting to come good.
The 24-year-old made the move to the Middle East after the recent Africa Cup of Nations in Ghana, following a good half-season with Ajax Cape Town in the domestic PSL.
His seven goals in 13 starts helped the Urban Warriors to the top of the Absa Premiership, and left the striker with the impressive strike-rate of 32 goals in 74 starts since his arrival at the club from Mother City in 2005.
His scoring at domestic level caught the eye of Bafana coach Carlos Alberto Parreira and ‘Terror’ was handed his debut almost exactly a year ago when he came on as a substitute for the last 12 minutes in the 1-0 defeat to Bolivia.
Although he has not found the net in his 11 caps, he has certainly been unlucky and has been denied by the post on a number of occasions.
But more than his scoring ability, it is his high work-rate that draws the plaudits, and his intelligent runs into space and selfish off-the-ball work for his teammates have seen him become a firm favourite under Parreira.
And although he has taken time to win over the fans in Israel, his recent performances have been excellent, scoring three goals in his last two games, helping Haifa to third in the League.
Position: Striker
Current club: Maccabi Haifa
Date of birth: 2/2/1984
Caps/goals: 11/0
South Africa debut: South Africa 0 Bolivia 1 (28/3/07)
First goal scored: -
Career history: 2004-2005 Mother City, 2005-2008 Ajax Cape Town, 2008- Maccabi Haifa (Israel)
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