Bafana Bafana caretaker coach Owen Da Gama named a 25-man squad to face Guinea-Bissau and Angola in the friendly international matches.
Da Gama has called up the under-20 attacking pair of Phakamani Mahlambi of Bidvest Wits and Luther Singh, who plays for SC Braga in Portugal after doing well in the under-20 African Cup of Nations.
Lorenzo Gordinho of Kaizer Chiefs was also called up for the first time after producing some sterlar performances for Chiefs.
Da Gama reiterated the importance of calling youngsters to give them experience as part of vision 2022.
“Vision 2022 is all about having a team ready for the future, and that is why we have mixed experience with youth. It is crucial that we bring in these youngsters as early as now so they can have the experience needed when the time comes.” Da Gama said.
“Mahlambi and Singh are key players in the South African U20 Men’s National Team (Amajita). They have been rewarded for their great performances for both club and country. The duo were instrumental in helping Amajita qualify for the 2017 FIFA U20 World Cup that will be played in South Korea in May.”
Full 25-man squad:
Goalkeepers:
Itumeleng Khune (Kaizer Chiefs), Darren Keet (Bidvest Wits), Shuaib Walters (Cape Town City)
Defenders:
Ramahlwe Mphahlele (Kaizer Chiefs), Rivaldo Coetzee (Ajax Cape Town), Thulani Hlatshwayo (Bidvest Wits), Lorenzo Gordinho (Kaizer Chiefs), Diamond Thopola (Chippa United), Tebogo Langerman (Mamelodi Sundowns), Erick Mathoho (Kaizer Chiefs)
Midfielders:
Hlompho Kekana (Mamelodi Sundowns), Thabo Mnyamane (SuperSport United), Keagan Dolly (Montpellier, France), Andile Jali (KV Oostende, Belgium), Kamohelo Mokotjo (FC Twente, Netherlands), Tiyani Mabunda (Mamelodi Sundowns), Dean Furman (SuperSport United), Themba Zwane (Mamelodi Sundowns), Thulani Serero (Ajax Amsterdam, Netherlands)
Forwards:
Percy Tau (Mamelodi Sundowns), Lebogang Manyama (Cape Town City), Phakamani Mahlambi (Bidvest Wits), Lars Veldwijk (KV Kortrijk, Belgium), Kermit Erasmus RC Lens, France), Luther Singh (Sporting Braga, Portugal)
Bafana Bafana host Guinea-Bissau on Saturday, 25 March 2017 at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban at 15h00 before facing Angola three days later (28 March 2017) at the venue yet to be decided.
Written by: Diski Voice
