×

We've got news for you.

Register on SowetanLIVE at no cost to receive newsletters, read exclusive articles & more.
Register now

Rebuilding efforts begin for Bafana after failure to qualify for World Cup

SuperSport United midfielder Aubrey Modiba celebrates scoring a goal during the Absa Premiership match against Bloemfontein Celtic at Lucas Moripe Stadium on February 03, 2018 in Pretoria, South Africa. Modiba made it to Bafana Bafana head coach's list of the squad, announced on March 13 2018, to take part in the Four-Nations tournament to be hosted in Zambia next week.
SuperSport United midfielder Aubrey Modiba celebrates scoring a goal during the Absa Premiership match against Bloemfontein Celtic at Lucas Moripe Stadium on February 03, 2018 in Pretoria, South Africa. Modiba made it to Bafana Bafana head coach's list of the squad, announced on March 13 2018, to take part in the Four-Nations tournament to be hosted in Zambia next week.
Image: Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images

Bafana Bafana coach Stuart Baxter announced a squad that introduced a number of young players‚ combined with experience‚ for a four-nations friendly international tournament in Zambia in this month’s Fifa international date.

Ajax Cape Town goalkeeper Brendon Petersen‚ Orlando Pirates left-back Innocent Maela ‚ Maritzburg United midfielder Siphesihle Ndlovu‚ and young strikers Lebogang Mothiba of Lille and Ryan Moon of Kaizer Chiefs were among the youngsters introduced to the squad by Baxter.

He revealed that Bafana would also be inviting Pirates’ promising assistant-coach Rhulani Mokwena to be part of the camp.

“This is the only real senior event we have before‚ in a long time‚ six months‚ we take on the Afcon challenge again‚” Baxter said.

“With this event we wanted two things.

"One‚ to assemble the more experienced players.

"And two‚ to look at and give experience to some of the younger players.”

The tournament‚ at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola‚ will also include the hosts‚ Angola and Zimbabwe.

South Africa kick off against Angola on Thursday‚ March 22.

Their second match is on Sunday‚ March 25.

The tournament is one of the last opportunities for preparation for the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers‚ where Bafana resume their campaign at home against Libya ion early September.

Tournament schedule:
Thursday‚ March 22: Zambia v Zimbabwe (1pm)‚ South Africa v Angola

Sunday‚ March 25: Loser Match 1 v Loser Match 2‚ Winner Match 1 v Winner Match 2

BAFANA SQUAD
Goalkeepers:

Itumeleng Khune‚ Darren Keet‚ Brendon Petersen

Defenders: Reeve Frosler‚ Ramahlwe Mphahlele‚ Thulani Hlatshwayo‚ Motjeka Madisha‚ Daniel Cardoso‚ Buhle Mkwanazi‚ Innocent Maela‚ Sifiso Hlanti

Midfielders:

Dean Furman‚ Siphesihle Ndlovu‚ Kamohelo Mokotjo‚ Teboho Mokoena‚ Maphosa Modiba‚ Sibusio Vilakazi‚ Thembinkosi Lorch‚ Keagan Dolly‚ Phakamani Mahlambi‚ Themba Zwane

Strikers:

Percy Tau‚ Lebogang Mothiba‚ Bryce Moon

Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.

Speech Bubbles

Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.