Igesund lauds Rantie move to England

Bafana Bafana coach Gordon Igesund has lauded striker Tokelo Rantie’s transfer to English Championship side Bournemouth from Swedish side Malmo as a career-changing move.

The 22-year-old striker completed a transfer move from Sweden to England on Wednesday and Igesund said the move was a masterstroke for the future of the fast-improving striker.

“It is good for him, for Bafana and it is a major boost for the country and our aspirations of competing with the best. I get very excited when players make such wise career move. He is moving to a bigger stage and this will be a great boost for Bafana,” said Igesund.

Rantie is one of the three strikers selected for the upcoming 2014 FIFA World Cup encounter against Botswana on 7 September at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban together with Orlando Pirates’ Kermit Erasmus and Kaizer Chiefs’ Bernard Parker.

“Such a move will definitely add value to the entire national team. I want to take this opportunity to personally congratulate him,” added Igesund.

Included in the Bafana Bafana squad to play Botswana are three England-based players in defender and former captain Bongani Khumalo, Dean Furman (both Doncaster Rovers) and midfielder Kagisho Dikgacoi of Crystal Palace.

- SAFA