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SPECULATION LAID TO REST: Steven Pienaar remains the Bafana Bafana skipper. Photos: Gallo Images

NO FAVOURS: Bafana Bafana coach Gordon Igesund is flanked by his assistants Serame Letsoaka and Thomas Madigage at the squad announcement.

 Ntlhe in the squad for Brazil, Moz 

One of these really caught the eye: Kgosietsile Ntlhe.

The 18-year-old from Pretoria who plays for English Championship (second tier) side Peterborough FC, was named in Igesund's 25-man squad to face Brazil and Mozambique in friendly internationals next month.

Igesund and his technical team, comprising assistants Thomas Madigage and Serame Letsoaka, maintain they did not just Google the little-known defender.

"There was a lot of work being done behind the scenes to see Ntlhe's progress. And I spoke to his coach Darren Ferguson (son of Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson) about him and there was a lot of positive feedback," said Igesund.

"Darren says he is a player who will never let you down - just about his best player at the moment. If an 18-year-old makes it in the Championship, one of the most difficult leagues in the world, we've really got to have a look at him."

To make space for Ntlhe, Igesund has dropped Siboniso Gaxa, the Kaizer Chiefs right-back who was injured at the start of the season in his club's MTN8 quarterfinals defeat by Mamelodi Sundowns.

Gaxa made his return last week when Amakhosi got their revenge against Sundowns in a 2-1 win, but it was too late for him to have made Igesund's team.

Igesund said the team he had picked, which will take on Brazil in Sao Paulo next Friday and Mozambique at the Mbombela Stadium four days later, was not necessarily his imprint.

The coach left out 11 players from the squad last picked by his predecessor in Andile Jali, Oupa Manyisa, Thanduyise Khuboni, Teko Modise, Lebohang Mokoena and Tsepo Masilela.

Hlompho Kekana, Mzikayise Mashaba, Darren Keet, Gaxa and Eleazar Rodgers were also dropped.

However, he laid the captaincy speculations to rest, confirming that Steven Pienaar will remain his skipper for now.

"There will be no favours. Players will not just walk into this team. I want all of them to be running to the Internet after training to see if their names are on the list," said the coach. "Having said that, no doors are closed for anyone and this team will obviously change around before the (2013) Africa Cup of Nations."

First time call-ups apart from Ntlhe include Kamohelo Mokotjo (Feyenoord, Holland), Katlego Mashego (FS Stars), Thabo Matlaba (Pirates), Dean Furman (Oldham Athletic, England), Dino Ndlovu (Maccabi Haifa, Israel) and Thamsanqa Gabuza (Arrows).

Igesund also said goalkeeper Moeneeb Josephs has sent a letter to Safa withdrawing his resignation.

Comments

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Sat May 25 11:49:45 SAST 2013 ::

Aug 31, 2012

Mjojo1

Good Luck boys.Kermit Erasmus is underated tho
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Aug 31, 2012

NICEBOOBS

Not bad at all - Gordon is a good motivator so the guys will give their all.
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Aug 31, 2012

fokofpolisiekar

@Mjojo1 i say overrated
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Aug 31, 2012

Lehido

I hope you know what you doing coach...i believe in you
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Aug 31, 2012

fokofpolisiekar

in you Gordon i trust, but when last did Mokotjo and Gubuza play, if you honestly picking a team based on fitness and form???? and again when last did Rantie play, he might be 60% fit but he is on form while Mokotlo and Gubuza are neither on form or fit... we also need new blood on the post, Ronwen Willian and Darren Kiet deserves a call up
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Aug 31, 2012

KasiKid

Why do you need people like dom kat, people who can't make up their minds?

People who let their emotions get in the way of their thinking...
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Aug 31, 2012

Lungu

Were is George Maluleke?
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Aug 31, 2012

MaaLkOp

Gud Luck coach,lets go show the "samba boys" how to do "hlokoloza"...
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Aug 31, 2012

maftowncity

This youngster Ntlhe is a marvel to watch, and playing alonside with players like, Dan Kearms and Mark Little has improved his game.He is one of the best defenders in Peterborough, and he has been consistant..

He embarrassed ,Jimmy kebe,Noel Hunt and Danny Guthrie,(Reading FC,current champion) during their encounter, those players congratulated him for playing so well...aish,Gordon,talk to his coach again man,we need ntwana yeo baba...
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Aug 31, 2012

molobedu33

"There will be no favours. Players will not just walk into this team. I want all of them to be running to the Internet after training to see if their names are on the list," said the coach. "Having said that, no doors are closed for anyone and this team will obviously change around before the (2013) Africa Cup of Nations."
GREAT COACH,NOT THAT THING YA GORE THE TEAM BELONGS TO BOMANGMANG
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