Shakes Mashaba knows which side his bread is buttered on.
Although the Bafana Bafana coach would not admit that his backtracking on the inclusion of SA's overseas contingent was at the request of his employers, Mashaba yesterday named Thulani Serero, May Mahlangu, Kamohelo Mokotjo and Ayanda Patosi in his 30-man squad to face Swaziland and Nigeria this month.
Soon after Bafana exited the Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea in January, the SA Football Association vowed to play the role of mediators between Mashaba and the quartet, who were left out of the continental championship.
Safa president Danny Jordaan rubber-stamped the mediation processes two weeks ago and the coach, judging by his selection yesterday, did not resist.
There was a question on Mahlangu's availability after he suffered an ankle injury while playing for his Turkish team Torku Konyaspor last week, with Mashaba saying he would wait for a medical report.
Bafana travel to Swaziland on March 25 and host the Super Eagles four days later in Mbombela.
"I am a parent. I don't have time to have tiffs with players because I am a grown-up," Mashaba said.
"My job is to coach the team and it is up to the players to respond. If they do not respond to this call, then we will leave it up to the public to decide. We sit and discuss these things, unfortunately around four walls, and no one forced anyone to do anything. We engaged these players and they said they would commit."
Former captain Itumeleng Khune is also back after he was omitted from the Afcon squad despite apparently being fit.
"It is never the right time or the wrong time to bring a player in. When a player shows form and commitment in a team, then that determines his selection," he said.
SQUAD
GOALKEEPERS: Jackson Mabokgwane, Khune, Brilliant Khuzwayo
DEFENDERS: Ngcongca, Siyabonga Nhlapo, Thabo Matlaba, Thapelo Morena, Erick Mathoho, Rivaldo Coetzee, Thulani Hlatshwayo, Sibusiso Khumalo, Daniel CardosoMIDFIELDERS: Lebogang Phiri, Oupa Manyisa, Andile Jali, Dean Furman, Mandla Masango, Cole Alexander, Thuso Phala, Jabulani Shongwe, Serero, Patosi, Bongani Zungu, Mokotjo, Mhlangu
STRIKERS: TokeloRantie, Sibusiso Vilakazi, Thabo Mnyamane, Lehlohonolo Majoro, Siphelele Ntshangase.
Shakes: I did not backtrack
Shakes Mashaba knows which side his bread is buttered on.
Although the Bafana Bafana coach would not admit that his backtracking on the inclusion of SA's overseas contingent was at the request of his employers, Mashaba yesterday named Thulani Serero, May Mahlangu, Kamohelo Mokotjo and Ayanda Patosi in his 30-man squad to face Swaziland and Nigeria this month.
Soon after Bafana exited the Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea in January, the SA Football Association vowed to play the role of mediators between Mashaba and the quartet, who were left out of the continental championship.
Safa president Danny Jordaan rubber-stamped the mediation processes two weeks ago and the coach, judging by his selection yesterday, did not resist.
There was a question on Mahlangu's availability after he suffered an ankle injury while playing for his Turkish team Torku Konyaspor last week, with Mashaba saying he would wait for a medical report.
Bafana travel to Swaziland on March 25 and host the Super Eagles four days later in Mbombela.
"I am a parent. I don't have time to have tiffs with players because I am a grown-up," Mashaba said.
"My job is to coach the team and it is up to the players to respond. If they do not respond to this call, then we will leave it up to the public to decide. We sit and discuss these things, unfortunately around four walls, and no one forced anyone to do anything. We engaged these players and they said they would commit."
Former captain Itumeleng Khune is also back after he was omitted from the Afcon squad despite apparently being fit.
"It is never the right time or the wrong time to bring a player in. When a player shows form and commitment in a team, then that determines his selection," he said.
SQUAD
GOALKEEPERS: Jackson Mabokgwane, Khune, Brilliant Khuzwayo
DEFENDERS: Ngcongca, Siyabonga Nhlapo, Thabo Matlaba, Thapelo Morena, Erick Mathoho, Rivaldo Coetzee, Thulani Hlatshwayo, Sibusiso Khumalo, Daniel CardosoMIDFIELDERS: Lebogang Phiri, Oupa Manyisa, Andile Jali, Dean Furman, Mandla Masango, Cole Alexander, Thuso Phala, Jabulani Shongwe, Serero, Patosi, Bongani Zungu, Mokotjo, Mhlangu
STRIKERS: TokeloRantie, Sibusiso Vilakazi, Thabo Mnyamane, Lehlohonolo Majoro, Siphelele Ntshangase.
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