Bafana Bafana coach Shakes Mashaba says he is giving other players a chance, with one eye on the 2018 World Cup qualifiers after the disappointing campaign in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Bafana are without a win in four Afcon qualifiers, ahead of their penultimate Group M clash against Gambia at Independence Stadium in Bakau on June 4.
"Yes we might not qualify for Afcon, but there are World Cup qualifiers coming up. We have to look at preparing for that.
"We have spoken about widening the base of players. We want to give as many players as we can an opportunity to come and play here. We are trying to look at everybody," said Mashaba yesterday after announcing his 23-man squad.
Keagan Dolly, Thobani Mncwango, Brighton Mhlongo, Ramahlwe Mphahlele and Tebogo Langerman have been rewarded with call-ups for the Gambia match after having good seasons at club level.
Midfielders Dean Furman and May Mahlangu have returned to the squad, while Chippa United defender Diamond Thopola has been included as the surprise call-up.
Thopola has played 27 matches in all competitions for United this season, scoring once.
"All the players who are on the list were selected on merit. Brighton has done well at Pirates and he deserves this call-up. Mncwango is banging in the goals. That's our problematic area," said Mashaba.
"We have to be open and honest about these things. Our chances are very slim. We find ourselves in a very difficult situation.
"I did say we fluffed it in the first two matches (against Gambia and Mauritania). But we are going to work hard and make sure we get the six points and see what happens."
The squad assembles on Sunday, May 29.
Bafana Squad:
Goalkeepers: Itumeleng Khune, Jackson Mabokgwane, Brighton Mhlongo
Defenders: Ramahlwe Mphahlele, Diamond Thopola, Thabo Matlaba, Mulomowandau Mathoho, Sifiso Hlanti, Rivaldo Coetzee, Tebogo Langerman
Midfielders: Andile Jali, Thulani Serero, Mpho Makola, Mandla Masango, Keagan Dolly, Hlompho Kekana, May Mahlangu, Thapelo Morena, Dean Furman
Strikers: Thamsanqa Gabuza, Sibusiso Vilakazi, Ndumiso Mabena, Thobani Mncwango
Shakes gives new blood an opening
Bafana Bafana coach Shakes Mashaba says he is giving other players a chance, with one eye on the 2018 World Cup qualifiers after the disappointing campaign in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Bafana are without a win in four Afcon qualifiers, ahead of their penultimate Group M clash against Gambia at Independence Stadium in Bakau on June 4.
"Yes we might not qualify for Afcon, but there are World Cup qualifiers coming up. We have to look at preparing for that.
"We have spoken about widening the base of players. We want to give as many players as we can an opportunity to come and play here. We are trying to look at everybody," said Mashaba yesterday after announcing his 23-man squad.
Keagan Dolly, Thobani Mncwango, Brighton Mhlongo, Ramahlwe Mphahlele and Tebogo Langerman have been rewarded with call-ups for the Gambia match after having good seasons at club level.
Midfielders Dean Furman and May Mahlangu have returned to the squad, while Chippa United defender Diamond Thopola has been included as the surprise call-up.
Thopola has played 27 matches in all competitions for United this season, scoring once.
"All the players who are on the list were selected on merit. Brighton has done well at Pirates and he deserves this call-up. Mncwango is banging in the goals. That's our problematic area," said Mashaba.
"We have to be open and honest about these things. Our chances are very slim. We find ourselves in a very difficult situation.
"I did say we fluffed it in the first two matches (against Gambia and Mauritania). But we are going to work hard and make sure we get the six points and see what happens."
The squad assembles on Sunday, May 29.
Bafana Squad:
Goalkeepers: Itumeleng Khune, Jackson Mabokgwane, Brighton Mhlongo
Defenders: Ramahlwe Mphahlele, Diamond Thopola, Thabo Matlaba, Mulomowandau Mathoho, Sifiso Hlanti, Rivaldo Coetzee, Tebogo Langerman
Midfielders: Andile Jali, Thulani Serero, Mpho Makola, Mandla Masango, Keagan Dolly, Hlompho Kekana, May Mahlangu, Thapelo Morena, Dean Furman
Strikers: Thamsanqa Gabuza, Sibusiso Vilakazi, Ndumiso Mabena, Thobani Mncwango
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