Bafana Bafana safely in Angola

All 25 players – with the inclusion of late call-up goalkeeper Wayne Sandilands of Mamelodi – made the trip to Angola.
Sandilands took the place of the injured Itumeleng Khune who is suffering from a knee injury that prevented him from playing in last weekend’s Soweto derby against Orlando Pirates.

The Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper reported for national team duty on Sunday (9 November) and was released from the squad after being assessed by the Bafana Bafana medical team.

His clubmate Brilliant Khuzwayo was called up as a replacement but was unable to honour the call-up to family commitments.

The other two goalkeepers in the squad are Jackson Mabokgwane and Ronwen Williams.

“There is no need to panic with Khune not available. The truth he has been doing well for us since he came in but he is not here and I believe any of the three goalkeepers that we have will step up to the plate,” said Bafana Bafana coach Ephraim Shakes Mashaba.

Four other Bafana Bafana players are undergoing treatment. Mabokgwane and Lehlohonolo Nonyane are both suffering from right knee pains, Erick Mathoho has a calf strain while George Lebese has a hamstring strain.

“Theirs are not serious injuries that’s why we have kept them in camp with us. We will just be monitoring them over the next few days. They are undergoing treatment and should be ready on match day,” said Bafana Bafana medico, Dr Thulani Ngwenya.

Bafana Bafana will have two training sessions on Wednesday and their final one on Thursday before tackling Angola on Friday, 13 November at the Ombaka National Stadium in Benguela.

“You know why you are here, none of you needs a reminder. We are playing crucial World Cup qualifiers and you all are aware there is a lot at stake. I believe we have a team to give us positive results, we have no doubt there. We cannot afford to slip up,” said Mashaba as he addressed the team upon arrival in Benguela.

The South Africans will fly out of Angola on Saturday, 14 November to Durban via Johannesburg. The second leg will be played at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Tuesday, 17 November.

Kickoff is at 19h00.

Meanwhile Amajimbos head coach Molefi Ntseki is part of the travelling squad as he is standing in for Owen da Gama who is preparing the u23 squad for the upcoming CAF u23 AFCON which will take place in Seneagal from the end of this month.

Updated BAFANA BAFANA SQUAD - FIFA WORLD CUP RUSSIA 2018 QUALIFIERS vs ANGOLA)

GOALKEEPERS:

1. Wayne SANDILANDS                                     Mamelodi Sundowns FC  (SA)
2. Jackson MABOKGWANE                                Mpumalanga Aces FC (SA)
3. Ronwen WILLIAMS                                         Supersport United FC (SA)

 

DEFENDERS:
4. Siyabonga NHLAPO                                         Bidvest Wits FC (SA)
5. Lehlohonolo NONYANE                                  Mpumalanga Aces  FC (SA)
6 Anele NGCONGCA                                           Troyes  FC (France)
7. Thabo MATLABA                                             Orlando Pirates FC (SA)
8. Clayton DANIELS                                            Supersport United FC (SA)
9. Erick MATHOHO                                             Kaizer Chiefs FC (SA)
10. Rivaldo COETZEE                                         Ajax Cape Town FC (SA)
11. Thulani HLATSHWAYO                                 Bidvest Wits FC (SA)

MIDFIELDERS:
12. Andile JALI KV                                              Oostende FC (Belgium)
13. Kamohelo MOKOTJO                                    FC Twente  (NED)
14. Phumlani NTSHANGASE                              Bidvest Wits FC (SA)
15. Bongani  ZUNGU                                           Mamelodi Sundowns FC (SA)
16. George LEBESE                                             Kaizer Chiefs FC (SA)
17. Dean FURMAN                                              Supersport United FC (SA)
18.  Mpho MAKOLA                                            Orlando Pirates FC (SA)
19. Mandla MASANGO                                       Randers FC (Denmark)
20. Themba ZWANE                                            Mamelodi Sundowns FC (SA)
 

STRIKERS
21.  Thamsanqa GABUZA                                    Orlando Pirates FC (SA)
22. Thulani SERERO                                            Ajax Amsterdam FC (NED)
23. Sibusiso VILAKAZI                                       Bidvest Wits FC (SA)
24. Tokelo RANTIE                                              Bournemouth FC (ENG)
25. Dino NDLOVU                                               Anorthosis Famagusta FC (Cyprus)

Jacasport