Bafana Bafana safely in Angola
After an eight-hour trip, which included a stopover in Luanda, Bafana Bafana safely arrived at their hotel in Benguela, Angola, where they will take on the host nation Round 2 of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia qualifiers.
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