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South Africa coach Shakes Mashaba has announced a 25-man squad for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Mauritania.
Bafana Bafana began the qualifying campaign with a disappointing draw versus Gambia and they will want to make amends for said result when they take on Mauritania on 5 September.
National team coach Shakes Mashaba has now selected what he believes is the strongest possible squad for the upcoming match and there have been some surprises.
The biggest news is the return of Kaiser Chiefs defender Tsepo Masilela (51/0), who is back after two and a half years.
1860 Munich midfielder Daylon Claasen (9/0) returns as well, but Kermit Erasmus (11/1), Oupa Manyisa (25/1) and Kamohelo Mokotjo (3/0) have been overlooked.
Thabo Rakhale (0/0) and George Lebese (3/0) also miss out in spite of some impressive showings at the start of the new season.
Goalkeepers Brilliant Khyzwayo (5/0) and Brighton Mhlongo (0/0) both miss out through injury, with Jackson Mabogkwane (8/0) and Ronwen Williams (2/0) replacing them in the side.
“Some of the players have been on a long break and only started playing recently, but I know we will get the result we want. If you look at the squad we have picked, it is based on the opposition. They recently lost by a narrow margin to Cameroon, which means we cannot take them lightly,” said Mashaba.
“We need to drum into our players the fact that they should not look at the opposition and stop asking who Mauritania is. Let’s give them the respect they deserve.
“We need to score first and demoralise them because if they net first they might make it difficult for us to come back. In short we have to go there prepared so we can get a result.”
South Africa squad:
Goalkeepers: Jackson Mabokgwane (Mpumalanga Aces FC), Itumeleng Khune (Kaizer Chiefs), Ronwen Williams (SuperSport United);
Defenders: Erick Mathoho (Kaizer Chiefs), Rivaldo Coetzee (Ajax Cape Town), Thulani Hlatshwayo (Bidvest Wits), Siyabonga Nhlapo (Bidvest Wits), Anele Ngcongca (Racing Genk), Mzikayise Mashaba (Mamelodi Sundowns), Siyabonga Zulu (Platinum Stars), Tsepo Masilela (Kaizer Chiefs);
Midfielders: Dean Furman (SuperSport United), Andile Jali (KV Oostende), Bongani Zungu (Sundowns), Mandla Masango (Randers FC), Phumlani Ntshangase (Bidvest Wits), Jabulani Shongwe (Bidvest Wits), Themba Zwane (Mamelodi Sundowns), Mpho Makola (Orlando Pirates), Ayanda Patosi (Lokeren), Daylon Claasen (1860 Munich);
Forwards: Thulani Serero (Ajax), Thamsanqa Gabuza (Orlando Pirates), Sibusiso Vilakazi (Bidvest Wits), Tokelo Rantie (Bournemouth).
