Mcelwa Nchabeleng

Mcelwa Nchabeleng

Bafana Bafana coach Joel Santana sprung some surprises yesterday when he named his squad for a friendly against Zambia at Super Stadium in Atteridgeville on Tuesday.

But Santana is in for a big shock following the decision by Mamelodi Sundowns and SuperSport United not to release their players.

The two rivals meet in a Tshwane derby the following day.

Downs' spokesman Mahlatse Mphahlele and his Matsatsantsa counterpart David Skosana, confirmed yesterday their players will not make Bafana camp as the game was outside the Fifa calendar.

Sundowns have Sibusiso Gaxa, Surprise Moriri and Calvin Marlin, while United have the in-form Morgan Gould and Bongani Khumalo.

Safa CEO Raymond Hack had earlier said they'd ask the PSL to help secure the players.

But Santana had a few surprises selecting players who until recently were not regulars including Celtic's goalkeeper Shu-Aib Walters, Chiefs' Reneilwe Letsholonyane, Pirates' Katlego Mashego and Chiefs' Abia Nale who wasn't a regular at Golden Arrows before moving to Naturena.

Sguad

Goalkeepers: Marlin, Itumeleng Khune, Walters Defenders: Nazeer Allie, Brett Evans, Gaxa, Gould, Khumalo, Lucas Thwala, Siyabonga Sangweni, Mokete Tsotetsi

Midfielders: Franklin Cale, Nale, Renilwe Letsholonyane, Siphiwe Tshabalala, Surprise Moriri, Teko Modise, Lebogang Mothibantwa, Kagisho Dikgacoi, Kagiso Senamela, Lefa Tsutsulupa Strikers: Mabhuti Khenyeza, Mashego and Sthembiso Ngcobo.