Bafana Bafana coach Stuart Baxter has named his strongest squad led by in-form playmaker Masilakhe Pohlongo to face Zambia in next month’s 2018 African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifiers.
According to statement realesed by South Africa Football Association (SAFA),Kaizer Chiefs goal minder Bruce Bvuma, who was in the 2017 COSAFA Castle Cup squad, returns after he missed out on the two-legged CHAN qualifiers against Botswana. He takes the place of Khulekani Kubheka.
In defence, Malebogo Modise and Junaid Sait make way for Denwin Farmer (Supersport United) and Ayabulela Konqobe of Amazulu. Supersport United midfielder, Teboho Mokoena is back in the squad after he was withdrawn before the second leg of the Botswana clash at Moruleng Stadium.
Bafana Bafana go into camp on Sunday, 6 August 2017. The return leg will be played in Zambia on the weekend of 18, 19, 20 August 2017. The overall winner will qualify for the CHAN tournament, which is set to take place in Kenya from 11 January to 2 February 2018.
A total of 16 teams will qualify to play in the final tournament and national team players who are playing in their country’s own domestic league will be eligible to compete in the football showpiece.
BAFANA BAFANA SQUAD FOR CHAN
NO. PLAYER’S NAME CLUB
GOALKEEPERS:
1. Boalefa PULE -Amazulu FC
2. Steven HOFFMAN Platinum Stars FC
3. Bruce BVUMA- Kaizer Chiefs FC
DEFENDERS:
4. Siyabonga NHLAPO- SuperSport United FC
5. Siphiwe MNGUNI -Platinum Stars FC
6. Sandile MTHETHWA -Orlando Pirates FC
7. Mothobi MVALA -Highlands Park FC
8. Mario BOOYSEN -Mamelodi Sundowns FC
9. Tercious MALEPE -Orlando Pirates FC
10. Denwin FARMER -Supersport United FC
11. Ayabulela KONQOBE- Amazulu FC
MIDFIELDERS:
12. Cole ALEXANDER -Supersport United FC
13. Michael MORTON -Amazulu FC
14. Riyaad NORODIEN -Orlando Pirates FC
15. Jamie WEBBER -Stellenbosch FC
16. Sphelele NTSHANGASE Black Leopards FC
17. Dumisani ZUMA -Kaizer Chiefs FC
18. Teboho MOKOENA- Supersport United FC
19. Sipho MBULE -SuperSport United FC
20. Sibusiso KUMALO- Mamelodi Sundown FC
21. Masilakhe PHOHLONGO -Ajax Cape Town FC
22. Tshegofatso MABASO -Bloemfontein Celtic FC
STRIKERS
23. Bongani NTULI -Mamelodi Sundowns FC
24. Ryan MOON- Kaizer Chiefs FC
25. Gift MOTUPA -Baroka FC
