Shakes names squad for Congo

Cape Town - Bafana Bafana coach Shakes Mashaba has named his squad to face Congo in back-to-back 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.

The national side are set to travel to Point Noire to take on Congo on Saturday, October 11, before returning to South Africa to play them again four days later in Polokwane.

The team will fly to Congo on October 9 and return to South Africa immediately after the match.

Bafana Bafana's match against Congo in Pointe Noire will be played on synthetic grass so Mashaba has elected to hold his sides training camp at the Royal Marang hotel and practice on a similar surface before the match.

Mashaba has largely kept the faith with the players from his first national squad by making only three changes to the team ahead of the 2015 AFCON qualifiers against Congo.

There were recalls for Thulani Serero (Ajax Amsterdam), Reneilwe Letsholonyane (Kaizer Chiefs) while Tefu Mashamaite (Kaizer Chiefs) Kwanda Mngonyama (Maritzburg United) were called up to bolster the defence.

Young striker Fagrie Lakay (Santos) has been called up to the national squad where Shakes Mashaba has chosen five strikers. In-form forward Kermit Erasmus (Orlando Pirates) was also selected.

Bafana Bafana squad:

Goalkeepers
Senzo Meyiwa (Orlando Pirates), Darren Keet (KV Kortrijk) Dumisani Msibi (SuperSport United)

Defenders
Anele Ngcongca (Racing Genk), Aya Magqwaka (Ajax CT), Sibusiso Khumalo (SuperSport United), Thulani Hlatshwayo (Wits), Eric Mathoho (Kaizer Chiefs), Rivaldo Coetzee (Ajax CT), Thabo Matlaba (Orlando Pirates), Tefu Mashamaite (Kaizer Chiefs) Kwanda Mngonyama (Maritzburg United)

Midfielders
Themba Zwane (Sundowns), Sibusiso Vilakazi (Wits), Oupa Manyisa (Orlando Pirates), Andile Jali (KV Oostende), Dean Furman (Doncaster), Keagan Dolly (Ajax CT), Mandla Masango (Kaizer Chiefs), Thulani Serero (Ajax Amsterdam), Reneilwe Letsholonyane (Kaizer Chiefs)

Forwards
Tokelo Rantie (AFC Bournemouth),  Bongani Ndulula (Amazulu), David Zulu (Chippa United), Kermit Erasmus (Orlando Pirates), Fagrie Lakay (Santos)

Bafana Bafana fixtures:

Saturday, October 11, Congo v SA (Pointe Noire) at 16:30
Wednesday, October 15, SA vs Congo (Peter Mokaba Stadium) at 20:05