Bafana
Bafana coach Gordon Igesund has gone mainly for experience when announcing his
23-man Africa Cup of Nations 2013 squad today, Sunday, 30 December 2012 at the
Southern Sun Monte Casino Hotel in Fourways, Johannesburg.
The
tournament, which will be hosted in South Africa, runs from 19 January to 10
February 2013. The squad comprises of players who have been part of his
national team set-up in the last six months.
Goalkeeper
Itumeleng Khune retains his place alongside Wayne Sandilands and Senzo Meyiwa
but there is no place for Belgium based Darren Keet.
Igesund
has gone for seven defenders, Bongani Khumalo, Siyabonga Sangweni, Anele
Ngcongca, Tsepo Masilela, Siboniso Gaxa, Thabo Nthethe and Thabo Matlaba, while
Ricardo Nunes, Siyanda Xulu and Bevan Fransman missed the cut.
In
the highly contested midfield area, the head coach has selected Kagisho
Dikgacoi, Dean Furman, Reneilwe Letsholonyane, Oupa Manyisa, Siphiwe
Tshabalala, May Mahlangu, Thulani Serero, Lerato Chabangu and Thuso Phala.
Those
left out are Thanduyise Khuboni, Teko Modise, Andile Jali, Daine Klate, Sifiso
Myeni and Delron Buckley.
The
firepower upfront will be provided by the foursome of Bernard Parker, Tokelo
Rantie, Lehlohonolo Majoro and Katlego Mphela.
“It’s
very unfortunate that I could not have all the players in the squad as CAF
rules stipulate that only 23 will be needed for the tournament. No matter how
much we try, we can’t please all the people in the selection process but I
believe we have chosen the best that will represent this country well in AFCON
2013,” said Igesund.
“We
had the best of the best in the camp, with excellent players competing against
each other for positions but at the end of the day we had to cut down the squad
to that stipulated by the governing body. However, those players who are not in
the squad should not despair as they are all on stand-by in case of injuries.”
The
head coach has thanked the South African public for their support of the
national team and appealed for more support in the coming days.
“This
is not my national team; I am just the driver so I would like to thank the
public, including the media for their continued support of the squad that has
been picked up as they represent all of us. We are now embarking on a long and
difficult mission and we cannot do it alone, your support will be very crucial
to see us through,” said Igesund.
“Now
that the final squad has been selected, the focus is now on the tournament.
Real and hard work begins for all of us. I am now able to instil my philosophy
and I am confident by the time the tournament starts, I believe we will be
ready and playing as a unit.”
Bongani
Khumalo will captain the side.
The
first assignment in the New Year for Bafana Bafana is the international
friendly match against Norway at the Cape Town Stadium on Tuesday, 8 January
2013.
The
squad will gather late on Wednesday, 2 January 2013 in Cape Town to prepare for
the Norway clash.
In
the second and last practice match Bafana Bafana will face Algeria in another
international friendly match at Orlando Stadium in Soweto on Saturday, 12
January.
South
Africa begins their AFCON 2013 campaign against Cape Verde at the National
Stadium (Soccer City) on Saturday, 19 January before facing Angola and Morocco
in the group stages in Durban.
Goalkeepers
Itumeleng
Khune, Wayne Sandilands, Senzo Meyiwa.
Defenders
Anele
Ngcongca, Siboniso Gaxa, Tsepo Masilela, Thabo Matlaba, Siyabonga Sangweni,
Bongani Khumalo, Thabo Nthethe.
Midfielders
Thulani
Serero, Lerato Chabangu, Siphiwe Tshabalala, Dean Furman, Kagisho Dikgacoi,
Thusa Phala, Reneilwe Letsholonyane, May Mahlangu, Oupa Manyisa
Strikers
Bernard
Parker, Katlego Mphela, Tokelo Rantie, Lehlohonolo Mojoro.
