Is Ricardo Goss the answer to Bafana’s third-choice goalkeeper debate? Photo: Backpagepix
Image: Backpagepix
Ricardo Goss has earned his place in the Bafana Bafana set-up, at least according to his Siwelele coach Lehlohonolo Seema.
Bafana coach Hugo Broos is set to announce his final squad for the two friendlies against Panama team in Durban and Cape Town on March 27 and 31. The 23 players selected are expected to form the core of the final squad for the Fifa World Cup in North America.
With Ronwen Williams and Sipho Chaine likely to be the first- and second-choice goalkeepers for the tournament, debate continues over who should occupy the third spot between Goss, Renaldo Leaner and Darren Johnson.
Goss previously served as Bafana’s third-choice goalkeeper, but his selection was scrutinised at the time due to below-par performances, including costly mistakes, during his stint at Siwelele. However, the 31-year-old shot-stopper reminded many why he remains one of the most experienced local goalkeepers after delivering a Player of the Match performance when Siwelele held title-chasing Orlando Pirates to a 1-1 draw away from home.
That display earned praise from Seema, who believes his goalkeeper has what it takes to challenge those currently ahead of him in the national team pecking order.
“I think it’s for everyone to see – Goss has been doing well. He’s been keeping the team in matches. He has also saved some penalties for us,” said Seema of Ricardo Goss, whom Abdeslam Ouaddou, the Pirates coach, jokingly referred to as “Jesus Christ” for his remarkable saving efforts.
“With a team where even a backpass was good – to an extent that we said, ‘gents, let’s not make the defeat embarrassing’ – Goss has been there. He has never dropped.
“As much as he has conceded goals, he’s shown his mental strength. I think in the national team that’s what you need. He’s going to push those goalkeepers – Sipho Chaine and Ronwen Williams. I think he’ll be a good addition to the squad.”
Seema also lauded Goss for his professionalism at training and his working relationship with the medical team, saying the goalkeeper has maintained excellent physical condition and form.
“I think he’s got a strategy now. If he wants to be the Man of the Match, he’ll take the ball, give it to the opponent and make a save,” Seema joked. “I couldn’t understand what he was doing there.
“He’s a guy that we’ve been working with very well. If you could see body-wise, he has toned a lot – credit must go to the conditioning guys. As long as we have one or two players in the national team, that’s motivating.”
Goss may be on loan from Mamelodi Sundowns for the rest of the season, but Seema believes he has looked completely at home at Siwelele since arriving at the start of the campaign.
“We know he’s on loan, but he’s fighting as if he’s our player, which is good. I am happy with his performances. He’s got nine clean sheets now. He’s a leader and has good distribution – though sometimes it gives me headaches,” Seema said.
*Mihlali Baleka is Independent Media's senior football reporter and a panelist on the group's soccer podcast, The D-Line, which is exclusive on our YouTube channel The Clutch