Bafana
Bafana coach Gordon Igesund has announced a strong 23-man squad that will face
neighbours Botswana in a crucial Brazil 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier that will
take place on Saturday (7 September 2013) at the iconic Moses Mabhida Stadium.
The
match will kick-off at 15h30.
Igesund
has named eight overseas-based players and 15 who play in the domestic league.
The
goalkeeping department remains the same with captain Itumeleng Khune, Wayne
Sandilands and Senzo Meyiwa filling the three positions.
In
defence, England-based and former captain Bongani Khumalo, who last played in
the 2013 AFCON tournament in February, makes a welcome return so is
Russia-based Siyanda Xulu who has recovered from an injury.
Also
getting a recall after a long absence are Holland-based Thulani Serero and
Kagisho Dikgacoi who plays for Crystal Palace in the English Premiership.
Upfront
Kermit Erasmus of Orlando Pirates joins Bernard Parker and Tokelo Rantie.
“This
has been a difficult exercise picking the team because there are a lot of
players doing very well, more so those based overseas. I had to choose my
strongest possible squad for this clash with Botswana because that’s where all
my focus is right now. The match against Botswana is a huge game for us,” said
Igesund.
“We
need to go there and do what we have to do - win this game. Our fate will be
decided by the outcome of the match between CAR and Ethiopia. But I can’t focus
on something we have no control over, what we have to do is make sure we win
our game but I am confident we will beat Botswana with the team I have chosen.”
Belgium-based
goalkeeper Darren Keet has been included as an additional player for the Durban
match but will only be available for training.
Keet
will remain for Bafana Bafana’s second match, an international friendly against
Zimbabwe on Tuesday, 10 September at a venue still to be confirmed.
South
Africa will be without their overseas contingent for the Zimbabwe game as they
will return to their clubs, as well as the Orlando Pirates players who are
playing CAF Champions League against AC Leopards of the Congo on Saturday, 14
September. Only Erasmus will be part of the second match as he is not
registered for the competition.
“The
squad to play Zimbabwe will consist of local-based players, without Pirates
players, as we look at next year’s CHAN tournament that we will host in South
Africa. I have excused Pirates players as they have to travel to Congo where
they have a match three days after our clash with Zimbabwe.
“It
was a tough decision again, but I don’t see any logic in including them in my
squad when they have to play far away three days later. They are representing
the country, and everyone wants to see them do well as it will benefit Bafana
Bafana in the long run,” said Igesund.
The
match against Botswana will be played simultaneously with the other group A
clash between Central African Republic (CAR) and Ethiopia.
Ethiopia
is leading the group with 10 points, two ahead of the second-placed South
Africa, while Botswana is third with seven points. CAR is out of contention on
three points.
For
South Africa to go through, they will have to defeat Botswana, and hope that
Ethiopia loses or draws against CAR.
Botswana
could still sneak in if they defeat South Africa by a huge margin and hope CAR
downs Ethiopia.
A
win for Ethiopia will eliminate all the other teams, and the East Africans will
go through to the play-offs stage where five African representatives to go to
Brazil will be determined.
The
Bafana Bafana squad will assemble on Sunday, 1 September and will depart for
Durban on Monday, 2 September.
Meanwhile
tickets for the annual Nelson Mandela Challenge clash are already on sale.
The
tickets are selling for R50 and R100 and can be bought at Computicket,
Shoprite, Checkers and Shoprite/Checkers outlets around the country.
BAFANA
BAFANA v BOTSWANA
GOALKEEPERS
Itumeleng
Khune, Wayne Sandilands, Senzo Meyiwa
DEFENDERS
Thabo
Nthethe, Anele Ngcongca, Bongani Khumalo, Tsepo Masilela, Siyanda Xulu, Buhle
Mkhwanazi, Thabo Matlaba
MIDFIELDERS
Kagisho
Dikgacoi, Dean Furman, Reneilwe Letsholonyane, Oupa Manyisa, Andile Jali,
Kamohelo Mokotjo, Bongani Zungu, Thulani Serero, Siphiwe Tshabalala, Daine
Klate
STRIKERS
Bernard
Parker, Tokelo Rantie, Kermit Erasmus
BAFANA
BAFANA v ZIMBABWE
GOALKEEPERS:
Itumeleng
Khune, Wayne Sandilands, Darren Keet
DEFENDERS:
Eric
Mathoho, Tshepo Gumede, Thabo Nthethe, Tsepo Masilela, Buhle Mkhwanazi, Thulani
Hlatshwayo, Marc van Heerden
MIDFIELDERS:
Hlompho
Kekana, Reneilwe Letsholonyane, Bongani Zungu, Thuso Phala, Siphiwe Tshabalala,
David Mathebula, Ruzaigh Gamildien, Lerato Chabangu, Luyolo Nomandela
STRIKERS:
Bernard
Parker, Lebogang Manyama, Siphelele Mthembu, Kermit Erasmus
