Bafana look to new caps

WITH nine uncapped players in the squad, it is possible that Bafana Bafana will notch up their 350th player when they face Sudan in their 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Khartoum tonight.

Coach Shakes Mashaba has taken an inexperienced squad into battle, putting faith in players that have never before tasted senior international football - in some cases even a professional match.

There have been 347 players representing Bafana Bafana since readmission to international football in 1992, with a surge of new caps over the last few years as successive coaches searched for a winning formula that has so far proved elusive.

There have been an astonishing 74 new caps since the 2010 Fifa World Cup, an average of 19 new internationals a year.

That is up from the average of 15 new caps in the years from 1992 to 2010.

And with the milestone of 350 now in sight, it seems likely even that it will either be reached tonight or on Wednesday at home to Nigeria.

Goalkeeper Dumisani Msibi, defenders Ramahlwe Mphahlele, Ayabulela Magqwaka, Rivaldo Coetzee and Ntsikelelo Nyauza, midfielder Keagan Dolly, and forwards Bongani Ndulula, David Zulu and Nhlakanipho Ntuli could make their international debuts.

Trying to second-guess Mashaba's team selection is difficult, but there is a strong possibility at least one of those defenders will start, and it is also highly likely one of the strikers will either start or be brought on during the game. Dolly is a strong option for the left side of midfield, which would bring the number of new caps up to 350.

If any of these players do make their debuts, they will hope not to join the incredibly long list of players who have won just a single international cap for Bafana.

There have been 77 players, which amounts to 22% of the total number, who have made just a single appearance for the national side since 1992.