South Africa coach Ephraim 'Shakes' Mashaba has named a 26 man squad to prosecute the last two Group A qualifiers of the Caf/Orange Africa Cup of Nations to be hosted by Morocco.
The Bafana Bafana will square up against Sudan and Nigeria in the two remaining qualifiers as they look to qualify for the biennial competition.
The team will face Sudan on November 15th at the Moses Madiba Stadium in Durban, hometown of the departed goalkeeper Senzo Meyiwa before heading to Nigeria to play the Super Eagles in Uyo.
Mashaba was to announce the squad on October 30th but it had to postponed due to the unfortunate death of Senzo Meyiwa who also doubled as the captain of the side.
Sitting on top Group A with 8 points, Bafana Bafana will look to keep their place at the summit when the team meets up on Sunday November 9th and head down to Durban for the final leg of preparations.
While in Durban, the team will visit Meyiwa's grave and also meet with the late goalkeepers family to pay their respects to them.
The death of the 27 year old will surely be missed by South Africa as he has been an inspiration during the qualifiers keeping clean sheets as Bafana Bafana are yet to concede in the on-going qualifiers.
Captain and motivator:
Senzo Meyiwa alongside Andile Jali and Sibusiso Vilakazi were the main men in a new look South Africa side assembled by coach Mashaba.
The team has surprised everyone with their run so far in the qualifiers and Meyiwa has been in the fore front in the chase for a ticket to Morocco 2015 before his untimely death.
He was fantastic in the two away games in Sudan and Congo as South Africa earned maximum points on the road.
His heroics in Pointe Noire against the Red Devils made a him a hero back home considering he is a back up to first choice goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune who is out injured at the moment.
Meyiwa was an motivator and a captain who led by example. He was also a leader off the field as he kept on reminding,k the players the job is not yet done.
Shake's dilemma
Bafana Bafana coach Shakes Mashaba has big call to make before the Sudan game as he has to make a choice of who will man the posts as well as who will be he substantive captain in the continued absence of Itumeleng Khune.
Three goalkeepers have been called for the the Sudan/Nigeria games-Darren Keet from Belgian side KV Kortijik, Siyabonga Mpontshane of Platinum Stars and Brilliant Khuzwayo who also deputises for Khune at Kaizer Chiefs.
Darren Keet, who has been part of the previous squads is favorite to be between the sticks against Sudan but Khuzwayo who has been in great form for table topping Kaizer Chiefs is also a prime candidate for the number one spot.
The young shot stopper has been in the fore front of Kaizer Chiefs excellent start to the new Premier Soccer League (PSL) and has been tipped for great things. He has done admirably well in the absence of the crocked Khune.
Mashaba also has to decide who will captain the side. Andile Jali has been influential in midfield for South Africa during the qualifiers and will surely be someone Mashaba will look at to lead the troops.
Racing Genk defender Anele Ngcongca will also be a prime candidate to be captain of the team, then there is also the veteran Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Reneilwe Letsholonyane who is the oldest player in the current squad. Although Letsholonyane has lost his starting spot in the team, his experience will also count in his favor.
Whoever he chooses to man the sticks or lead the team, Mashaba has already sounded out the war cry to his team as they prepare to meet Sudan in Durban.
South Africa will wear black arm bands to honor Senzo Meyiwa when they host Sudan on November 15th.
Full Bafana Bafana squad:
Goalkeepers: Darren Keet (KV Kortrijk, Belgium), SiyabongaMpontshane (Platinum FC),Brilliant Khuzwayo (Kaizer Chiefs FC)
Defenders: Anele Ngcongca (Racing Genk, Belgium), Siyabonga Nhlapho(Bidvest Wits),Sibusiso Khumalo (Super Sport United), Luvolwethu Mpeta (PlatinumStars), Erick Mathoho (Kaizer Chiefs), Ntsikelelo Nyauza (OrlandoPirates), Rivaldo Coetzee (Ajax Cape Town), Kwanda Mngonyama(Maritzburg United), Tefu Mashamaite (Kaizer Chiefs)
Midfielders: Thulani Serero (Ajax Amsterdam, Netherlands), May Mahlangu (IFK Goteborg, Sweden),Themba Zwane (Mamelodi Sundowns), Fagrie Lakay (Santos),Oupa Manyisa (Orlando Pirates), Andile Jali (KV Oostende, Belgium),Dean Furman (Doncaster Rovers, England), Mandla Masango, ReneilweLetsholonyane (Kaizer Chiefs),
Strikers: Sibusiso Vilakazi (Bidvest Wits), Bongani Ndulula (Amazulu),Tokelo Rantie (AFC Bournemouth, England), Lehlohonolo Majoro, Kermit Erasmus (Orlando Pirates)
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