Dean Furman’s first two impressive international appearances against Brazil and Mozambique suggest that he will be needed when South Africa host the continental tournament in January/February next year.
Journalist Joe Crann from Cape Town said, “South Africa have a lot of players who are technically gifted but as a team they are maybe not as tactically good as they should be. Dean is clearly someone who does the basics well and the team needs someone to do that job in midfield.”
FIFA’s rules state that players must be released 14 days before such tournaments which mean that Furman could miss six of Athletic's games. Even after the African Cup of Nations is over a World Cup qualifier against the Central African Republic on March 23rd could also mean that Dean would miss the match at Shrewsbury.