Having bombed to a defeat against Botswana, Bafana Bafana's Cosafa Cup plate semifinal against tricky Malawi at Royal Bafokeng Stadium tonight (7.30pm) represents more than just a rescue mission in this tournament.

Coach Shakes Mashaba said yesterday he will name his squad tomorrow for the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Gambia in Durban on June 13, and there are a few players who will be out to redeem themselves and perhaps stake a claim for a call-up.

For Absa Premiership top scorer Moeketsi Sekola, though, that chance seems doubtful. The Free State Stars striker missed Sunday's 7-6 quarterfinal defeat against Botswana with a foot injury. He started yesterday's training session at the rustic Mogwase Stadium but limped off near the end.

Terms such as "the honeymoon is over" might have been bandied about for Mashaba following a disappointing start to a tournament that he said was important to win. But certainly few coaches can turn around a mood quite like Bafana's father figure.

Mashaba's attempt to put on a brave face after the Botswana defeat came across as defensiveness. But he showed some annoyance at his players, cracking the whip a few times at the start of yesterday's session.

"My team is dead. If you think you'll only play on Wednesday you're making a big mistake. It starts here," Mashaba barked at one stage.

Safa communications head Dominic Chimhavi revealed yesterday that the Gambia game will be at played at Moses Mabhida Stadium. Mashaba believes he has uncovered two or three players who might contribute to that squad.

Wing Thapelo Morena, left back Marc Van Heerden, right back Siyabonga Nhlapo and centre back Kwanda Mngonyama are players who might have caught the coach's eye.

The latter three could be in for a tougher night against a Malawi side who have been a revelation in the group stages.