Bafana Bafana coach Stuart Baxter has given his insight as to why Cape Town City striker Kermit Erasmus was not included in his previous squads, writes DYLAN APPOLIS.

The 65-year-old coach raised eyebrows when he omitted Erasmus from his squad for the final Afcon qualifier against Libya, despite the striker’s red-hot form in front of goal for the Citizens.

Instead, Baxter opted to include Sparta Rotterdam striker Lars Veldwijk ahead of the Cape Town City striker.

However, Erasmus has now been included in the 30-man provisional squad for the upcoming Afcon in Egypt, and will be hoping to make a good enough impression to earn himself a call-up to the final 24-man squad for the tournament next month.

‘Kermit is one of the players that has been around us. We chose not to include him in previous camps because I always felt that it was too soon. I had a long conversation with Benni McCarthy before the last camp and I explained that he did a good job with Kermit. He put his arm around him and made him feel important again,’ Baxter said.

‘I also said to Benni, and he agreed with me, that I could not guarantee Kermit that place in Bafana, and I thought that when he came back he should really be equipped to understand the situation. I think he understands the situation now because he has worked hard during the season. Without promising him anything, he has managed to get himself back into the fold.’

Bafana Bafana are set to face Ivory Coast in their opening Group D encounter at the Afcon which will take place at the Al-Salam Stadium in Cairo on 24 June, with kick-off set for 4:30pm.