Bafana Bafana coach Ephraim ‘Shakes’ Mashaba has announced a 25-man squad to face Angola in back-to-back clashes for Round 2 of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia qualifiers.
The first clash will be the away leg, to be played on Friday, 13 November 2015 at the Ombaka National Stadium in Benguela, Angola and kicks off at 15h30 (16h30 SA time).
Bafana Bafana will then host Angola four days later (Tuesday, 17 November) in Durban at the Moses Mabhida Stadium and that encounter starts at 19h00.
“These are very crucial matches and we are all aware that if we lose here we are out, but with the team that we have selected, I am confident that we will get positive results. The most important thing is to start well in Benguela – get some goals and come back home to finish off,” said Mashaba.
“Playing away or home first is not an issue, but we have to ensure we win away and at home we consolidate that victory with a goal or two.”
Mashaba has recalled the bulk of the squad that did duty in the recent tour of Central America where they defeated Costa Rica 1-0 and drew 1-1 with Honduras.
“I saw the boys against those two nations; they played very well despite us not having our entire strike force. Now that we have our strikers back, that alone gives us confidence to pull through. The purpose of going to Costa Rica and Honduras was mainly to prepare for these two qualifiers against Angola, and the experience gained there will come in handy. I would just like to see us continuing where we left off from that trip,” added Mashaba.
South Africa and Angola met recently in two CHAN qualifiers with each side winning one
“Stats remain stats but they give you confidence going into a match though it’s not a guarantee that you can repeat that. In fact, they put you under pressure to continue doing well. Angola are a very good side and cannot be taken lightly, and we saw that when we defeated them in Cape Town earlier this year,” said Mashaba.
Bafana Bafana will assemble for camp on Sunday, 8 November.
Bafana Bafana squad to face Angola:
Goalkeepers: Khune (Kaizer Chiefs), Jackson Mabokgwane (MP Black Aces), Ronwen Williams (SuperSport United).
Defenders: Siyabonga Nhlapo (Bidvest Wits), Lehlohonolo Nonyane (MP Black Aces), Anele Ngcongca (Troyes), Thabo Matlaba (Orlando Pirates), Clayton Daniels (SuperSport United), Mulomowandau Mathoho (Kaizer Chiefs), Rivaldo Coetzee (Ajax Cape Town), Thulani Hlatshwayo (Bidvest Wits).
Midfielders: Andile Jali (Oostende), Kamohelo Mokotjo (FC Twente), Phumlani Ntshangase (Bidvest Wits), Bongani Zungu (Sundowns), George Lebese (Kaizer Chiefs), Dean Furman (SuperSport United), Mpho Makola (Orlando Pirates), Mandla Masango (Randers), Themba Zwane (Mamelodi Sundowns).
Strikers: Thamsanqa Gabuza (Orlando Pirates), Thulani Serero (Ajax Amsterdam), Sibusiso Vilakazi (Bidvest Wits), Tokelo Rantie (Bournemouth), Dino Ndlovu (Anorthosis Famagusta FC).
