South Africa’s National football team head coach Ephraim ‘Shakes’ Mashaba named his final 23 man squad for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations on Tuesday surprisingly excluding Ajax Amsterdam’s midfielder Thulani Serero.
Mashaba explained that “other players were better than him”, leaving out the player for other five overseas-based players including Bournemouth striker Toleko Rantie and Doncaster Rovers midfielder Dean Furman.
Mashaba recalled Benard Parker, who overcome injury to sterling performances for Kaizer Chiefs.
SuperSport United Thuso Phala also returns as a surprise to the Bafana fold, having last played for the team back in 2013 during the AFCON in South Africa.
Mamelodi Sundowns’ Bongani Zungu and Thamsanqa Sangweni who is on loan to Chippa are the other surprise entries to Mashaba’s AFCON selection.
Mashaba explained that “other players were better than him”, leaving out the player for other five overseas-based players including Bournemouth striker Toleko Rantie and Doncaster Rovers midfielder Dean Furman.
Mashaba recalled Benard Parker, who overcome injury to sterling performances for Kaizer Chiefs.
SuperSport United Thuso Phala also returns as a surprise to the Bafana fold, having last played for the team back in 2013 during the AFCON in South Africa.
Mamelodi Sundowns’ Bongani Zungu and Thamsanqa Sangweni who is on loan to Chippa are the other surprise entries to Mashaba’s AFCON selection.
Since taking over the Bafana Bafana in July, Mashaba has restored some pride of the National team along with lifting the players morale when goalkeeper-captain Senzo Meyiwa was murdered during the qualifying campaign.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Darren Keet (Kortrijk/BEL), Brilliant Khuzwayo (Kaizer Chiefs), Jackson Mabokgwane (Black Aces)
Defenders: Thabo Matlaba (Orlando Pirates), Patrick Phungwayo (Orlando Pirates), Thulani Hlatswayo (Wits), Siyabonga Nhlapo (Wits), Rivaldo Coetzee (Ajax Cape Town), Eric Mathoho (Chiefs), Anele Ngcongca (Genk/BEL)
Midfielders: Bongani Zungu (Sundowns), Themba Zwane (Sundowns), Reneilwe Letsholonyane (Chiefs), Mandla Masango
(Chiefs), Dean Furman (Doncaster/ENG), Andile Jali (Ostend/BEL), Oupa Manyisa (Pirates), Thuso Phala (SuperSport), Thamsanqa Sangweni (Chippa)
Strikers: Bongani Ndulula (AmaZulu), Tokelo Rantie (Bournemouth/ENG), Bernard Parker (Chiefs), Sibusiso Vilakazi (Wits)
Goalkeepers: Darren Keet (Kortrijk/BEL), Brilliant Khuzwayo (Kaizer Chiefs), Jackson Mabokgwane (Black Aces)
Defenders: Thabo Matlaba (Orlando Pirates), Patrick Phungwayo (Orlando Pirates), Thulani Hlatswayo (Wits), Siyabonga Nhlapo (Wits), Rivaldo Coetzee (Ajax Cape Town), Eric Mathoho (Chiefs), Anele Ngcongca (Genk/BEL)
Midfielders: Bongani Zungu (Sundowns), Themba Zwane (Sundowns), Reneilwe Letsholonyane (Chiefs), Mandla Masango
(Chiefs), Dean Furman (Doncaster/ENG), Andile Jali (Ostend/BEL), Oupa Manyisa (Pirates), Thuso Phala (SuperSport), Thamsanqa Sangweni (Chippa)
Strikers: Bongani Ndulula (AmaZulu), Tokelo Rantie (Bournemouth/ENG), Bernard Parker (Chiefs), Sibusiso Vilakazi (Wits)
