Mbalula wishes Bafana well

Cape Town - Minister of Sport and Recreation, Fikile Mbalula, has wished Bafana Bafana well after the announcement of their provisional Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) squad.

Bafana coach Shakes Mashaba named a 34-man squad ahead of the December 30 deadline for next January's tournament to take place in Equatorial Guinea.

Mbalula took to Twitter to wish the team well on their way to making the nation proud.

Good luck to bafana bafana as we embark on a journey to make the nation proud .....

— RSA Min of Sport (@MbalulaFikile) December 18, 2014

Bafana Bafana will open their AFCON 2015 group stage campaign against Algeria on January 19

Bafana Bafana squad provisional AFCON 2015 squad:

Goalkeepers:

Darren Keet (KV Kortrijk), Siyabonga Mpontshane (Platinum Stars), Brilliant Khuzwayo (Kaizer Chiefs), Jackson Mabokgwane (Mpumalanga Black Aces)

Defenders:

Anele Ngcongca (Racing Genk), Eric Mathoho (Kaizer Chiefs), Rivaldo Coetzee (Ajax CT), Kwanda Mngonyama (Maritzburg United), Siyabonga Nhlapo (Wits), Ntsikelelo Nyauza (Orlando Pirates), Patrick Phungwayo (Orlando Pirates), Thulani Hlatswayo (BidVest Wits), Thabo Matlaba (Orlando Pirates), Mzikayise Mashaba (Mamelodi Sundowns)

Midfielders:

Themba Zwane (Mamelodi Sundowns), Sibusiso Vilakazi (Wits), Oupa Manyisa (Orlando Pirates), Andile Jali (KV Oostende), Dean Furman (Doncaster Rovers), Mandla Masango (Kaizer Chiefs), Thulani Serero (Ajax Amsterdam), Reneilwe Letsholonyane (Kaizer Chiefs), Asavele Mbekile (Mamelodi Sundowns), Vuyisile Wana (Moroka Swallows), Jabulani Shongwe (BidVest Wits), Bongani Zungu (Mamelodi Sundowns), Thamsanqa Sangweni (Chippa United), Mondli Cele (Maritzburg United), Thuso Phala (SuperSport United)

Forwards:

Tokelo Rantie (AFC Bournemouth), Bongani Ndulula (AmaZulu), David Zulu (Chippa United), Ayanda Patosi (Lokeren), Bernard Parker (Kaizer Chiefs)