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DEPENDABLE: Bafana Bafana left-back Tsepo Masilela

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"We have rewarded players on form in the Premier League and also picked important players like Mphela, despite his lack of fitness," said the coach. "We have a good balance, but we can't keep playing draws all the time. Something has got to give."

Bafana will start their 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign with a home game against Ethiopia at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium on June 3, with an away clash to Botswana six days later in Gaborone.

The same group of players, if there are no injuries, will also face Gabon in a friendly match on June 15.

Mosimane reiterated that he was frustrated by his team's inability to score goals, stressing the importance of qualifying for the World Cup in Brazil. He has pinned his hopes on Siyabonga Nomvethe, Eleazar Rogers and rookie Tokelo Rantie to help Katlego Mphela upfront.

Free State Stars goal ace Edward Manqele, who got his first cap in the 0-0 draw against Senegal at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in February, has been dropped.

Mosimane has not tasted victory as Bafana coach since the 3-0 win over an under-strength Burkina Faso side in August at Ellis Park. That was followed by defeat away to Niger during the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in September, a game Mosimane believes led to Bafana's failure to make the final 16 of the tournament in January. "We learnt our lesson. We still need to be patient, but the six points against Ethiopia and Botswana are urgent for us because we want to be in Brazil for the World Cup."

Bafana Bafana squad:

GOALKEEPERS - Itumeleng Khune, Wayne Sandilands, Moeneeb Josephs, Darren Keet

DEFENDERS - Morgan Gould, Bongani Khumalo, Siyabonga Sangweni, Punch Masenamela, Siboniso Gaxa, Anele Ngcongca, Tsepo Masilela, Eric Mathoho

MIDFIELDERS - Siphiwe Tshabalala, Andile Jali, Steven Pienaar, Reneilwe Letsholonyane, Teko Modise, Thanduyise Khuboni, Hlompho Kekana, Oupa Manyisa, May Mahlangu, Lebohang Mokoena, Mzikayise Mashaba

FORWARDS - Thulani Serero, Rantie, Katlego Mphela, Nomvethe and Rodgers

Players on standby: Luvhengo Mungomeni, Thamsanqa Sangweni and Lehlohonolo Masalesa

Comments

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Sat May 25 16:46:38 SAST 2013 ::

May 18, 2012

Shorts

BISTO HAS AT LAST SEEN THE LIGHT; HAS AT LEAST GROWN UP; .NOW HE UNDERSTANDS THAT HE IS NOT BIGGER THAN SUPPORTERS AND THE COUNTRY. HE HAS LEFT HIS POMPOUSNESS OR IS IT THAT HE IS NOW HAVING HIS MASTER VOICE , STEVE "MR DISCIPLINE"', KOMPHELA. THIS IS A WELL BALANCE TEAM THAT WE HAVE SEEN FORM BAFANA BAFANA. LET US UNITE TO GIVE THE BOYS SUPPORT. I HAVE BURIED THE HATCHET WITH BISTO.
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May 18, 2012

asaowe

i see bafana restoring countries pride, 2 games 6point in da bag. nowayz Ethopia nd zebra cn stop us
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May 18, 2012

Nkwe-Tiger

Well done Pitso... if we don't go out and win with these team, then we must just pay the juju man. Anyway where is Mathebula and why leave Manqele out.
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May 18, 2012

lwanele001

Hey i do not believe this,What is this stupid Pitso doing kwi squad anymore,Kgompela is far better than lomuntu abathi uyi head coach.Okusho ukuthi udla umuthi o serious bcos,this is his time to go,kufakwe uKgompela instead yalelikhanda elikhulu but elingenalutho,just bragging with nothing in it.
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May 18, 2012

KejaKuKu_yadibloggers

should have dropped mphela with manqele or Classen and Teko Modise with Mathebula
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May 18, 2012

Shredder

O mo rata gampe Mphela ne. He will play for 85 minutes and Nomvethe for the remaining 5 minutes. I want to see Rogers and Nomvethe spear heading our attack.
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May 18, 2012

swona

is Bongani Khumalo fit? nothing against the guy!
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May 18, 2012

sabza007

I think Lerato Chabangu and Lefa Tsutsulupa deserve to be at least on the reserve side, but good choice of players.Now he must master the combination.
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May 18, 2012

DeOvi

khune, tshabalala, modise and mphela r old news, pls mr coach find replacement for them, (its urgent). maybe u cud try replace them with PIRATES players
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May 18, 2012

Mosquer

DeOvi
khune, tshabalala, modise and mphela r old news, pls mr coach find replacement for them, (its urgent). maybe u cud try replace them with PIRATES players
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Tsamaya o robala ne nana. This is BB not Pierats
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