Stuart Baxter has revealed that he spent several days in France last month connecting with Bafana Bafana players and that his next stop is Belgium to see Percy Tau.
The coach is preparing for his side's 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier away to Libya in March, one which Bafana must at the very least draw to join Group E winners Nigeria in the competition.
Of course, it now looks increasingly likely that Bafana will be at the Afcon regardless – hosts Cameroon were stripped of their rights last Friday and SA are favourites to step in as a replacement after confirming their bid yesterday.
Baxter, however, is still forging ahead with his preparations. Bongani Zungu, Keagan Dolly, Lebo Mothiba and Lebogang Phiri all play in Ligue 1.
"I went to France to connect with the players there and improve our relationship with the clubs because I want to ask them to release players for a mini-camp next year," the coach said.
"I've looked at their programme, the one in Belgium and the PSL and I am looking for some gaps. It will be a tough ask to get everyone in at the same time. But I met with the sporting director at Amiens where Bongani plays, saw how Mothiba lives and I got feedback on Keagan's injury."
The coach said he would visit Percy Tau in Belgium next, where he is on loan from English club Brighton Hove Albion.
"I am going to talk to Chris Houghton (Brighton manager) and ask him his plans for Tau and then go watch him play in January," Baxter added.
