Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has named his final squad for two upcoming friendly matches against Tanzania and Mozambique in June.
Orlando Pirates’ trio Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Simphiwe Selepe, and Mohau Nkota will be joining fellow teammate Relebohile Mofokeng in Broos’ Bafana set-up.
Broos did not select any players from Mamelodi Sundowns, who usually make up half of his national team.
The Belgian said he will use the friendly matches to integrate younger players into the team and will look to select those who perform well for the Fifa World Cup qualifiers and the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) in Morocco later in the year.
“The reason we are doing this is to provide an opportunity to younger players. The move will also make it easier for us to monitor them because they will have gotten an opportunity in the national team,” Broos said at his squad announcement in Auckland Park on Thursday.
“Now they have a chance, and if some players impress me and do what I expect, they will be on this team, either in the World Cup qualifiers or Afcon.”
Bafana lead Group C
Other new faces in the team include Sekhukhune United goalkeeper Renaldo Leaner, Richards Bay’s Yanela Mbuthuma, Ashley Cupido of Stellenbosch FC, Molde FK’s Samukele Kabini, Tshepang Moremi of AmaZulu FC, Pirates’ Deano van Rooyen, and Khulumani Ndamane of TS Galaxy.
Bafana are currently sitting on top of their World Cup qualifier Group C with 13 points ahead of Rwanda, Benin, Nigeria, Lesotho, and Zimbabwe.
The national team is four matches away from the historic moment of qualifying for the World Cup in 23 years.
In 2010, they participated in the competition by virtue of being the host nation.
They will face Lesotho, Nigeria, Rwanda, and Zimbabwe in the final round of matches. Before the Afcon in December, all four games will take place between September and October.
Bafana Bafana squad:
Goalkeepers: Renaldo Leaner (Sekhukhune United), Ricardo Goss (SuperSport United), Sipho Chaine (Orlando Pirates)
Defenders: Nyiko Mobbie (SuperSport), Samukelo Kabini (Molde FK, Norway), Thabo Moloisane, Fawaaz Basadien (both Stellenbosch FC), Nkosinathi Sibisi, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Deano van Rooyen (all Pirates), Khulumani Ndamani (TS Galaxy)
Midfielders: Luke le Roux (IFK Varnamo, Sweden), Thalente Mbatha, Simphiwe Selepe (both Pirates), Ndamulelo Maphangule (Polokwane City)
Forwards: Oswin Appollis (Polokwane City), Patrick Maswanganyi, Relebohile Mofokeng, Mohau Nkotha (all Pirates), Ashley Cupido (Stellenbosch), Tshepang Moremi (AmaZulu), Sinoxolo Kwayiba (Chippa United)
