Bafana
Bafana coach Gordon Igesund has announced a 28-man squad that will play in the
Nelson Mandela Challenge clash against reigning African champions Nigeria.
The
match is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, 14 August 2013 at Moses Mabhida
Stadium in Durban and kicks off at 20h15.
After
the match, nine players will be released from the squad. Six Orlando Pirates
players and three overseas-based will not be available for the second match
against Burkina Faso in the Nelson Mandela Sport and Culture Day on Saturday,
17 November at FNB Stadium.
Pirates
has a CAF Champions League fixture on the same day that Bafana Bafana will play
Burkina Faso, while the overseas-based players will return to their clubs since
the match against AFCON runners up does not fall under the FIFA calendar.
“There
is not much we can do, that is why we called a bloated squad as cover when
certain players depart from camp. We can’t lose sight of the fact that we are
playing this match for the greatest statesman that has ever lived, Madiba.
Moreover, these are two formidable teams we are going to face,” said the Bafana
Bafana mentor.
“If
you look at Nigeria, they have very good players and most of them play
overseas, which shows this is not going to be an easy match. But at the same
time it is a good challenge for our players having to face the two sides. It
gives us great preparation for our crucial Brazil 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier
against Botswana next month.”
Igesund
has given first time call-ups to Luyolo Nomandela (Free State Stars) and
Bongani Zungu (Mamelodi Sundowns).
Goalkeeper
Wayne Sandilands, who was also at the COSAFA CUP tournament where he was
captain, has also been included alongside Itumeleng Khune and Senzo Meyiwa.
Andile
Jali (Orlando Pirates) and Innocent Mdledle (Supersport United) make a return
after long absence from the national team, while Tshepo Masilela (Kaizer
Chiefs) and Thabo Matlaba (Orlando Pirates) have recovered from their injuries.
The
Bafana Bafana head has also rewarded some of the players who did duty in the
2013 COSAFA Cup tournament in Zambia where Bafana Bafana finished a credible
third with mostly unrecognised players.
The
five are defenders Tshepo Gumede (Platinum Stars), Buhle Mkhwanazi (Tuks),
Thulani Hlatshwayo (Ajax Cape Town), midfield strongman Hlompho Kekana
(Mamelodi Sundowns), and striker Lebogang Manyama (Ajax Cape Town).
“It’s
a good opportunity to have another look at them in a different environment. I
said when we returned from Zambia that some of the players raised their hands
and could be rewarded with a call-up and I feel this is a good opportunity to
have them in squad. They deserve to be called up because they did well,” said
Igesund.
“We
have more local-based players which stands us in good stead for the upcoming
Chan tournament that we are hosting.”
The
squad will assemble on Sunday, 11 August in the evening and will depart for
Durban on Monday, 12 August.
The
first training session will be held in the afternoon at People’s Park, with the
second and last one at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Tuesday, 13 August.
Bafana
Bafana leave Durban on Thursday, 15 August to prepare for the second match in
Johannesburg.
Meanwhile,
tickets for the annual Nelson Mandela Challenge clash are already on sale.
- SAFA
