Shakes shows AFCON hand

Cape Town - Bafana Bafana team coach Shakes Mashaba on Friday named several surprises in his squad for the next two Caf Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Sudan and Nigeria.

Read: Bafana v Nigeria in Cape Town

South Africa face Sudan in Khartoum on September 5 before returning home to take on Nigeria at the Cape Town Stadium on September 10.

A squad of 25 has been assigned for the trip to Sudan, with a further nine players joining them for the match in the Mother City.

Among his list of uncapped players, Mashaba included Ajax Cape Town's untested central defender Ayabulela Magqwaka, who has played only a handful of matches in the premier league and has yet to feature for the Urban Warriors this season.

There was also a call-up for Chippa United's David Zulu, the top goal-scorer in the National First Division last season, but who has only three games to his credit in top-flight soccer.

There were also a couple of surprise omissions, including the overseas-based pair of Thulani Serero and May Mahlangu, who were both fit and available.

Mashaba instead decided to go for Ayanda Patosi, despite the FC Lokeren midfielder having undergone a knee operation a month ago.

Kaizer Chiefs duo Bernard Parker and Simphiwe Tshabalala were unavailable due to injury, while there was no call-up for the likes of Amakhosi marksman Katlego Mphela or Orlando Pirates front man Kermit Erasmus.

Mashaba also named his new technical team, including former Orlando Pirates and Platinum Stars coach Owen da Gama as his assistant.

The Bafana Bafana squad:

Goalkeepers:
Itumeleng Khune (Kaizer Chiefs), Senzo Meyiwa (Orlando Pirates), Dumisani Msibi (SuperSport United)

Defenders:
Anele Ngcongca (Racing Genk), Aya Magqwaka (Ajax CT), Sibusiso Khumalo (SuperSport United), Thulani Hlatshwayo (Wits), Buhle Mkhwanazi (Wits), Eric Mathoho (Kaizer Chiefs), Rivaldo Coetzee (Ajax CT), Thabo Matlaba (Orlando Pirates), Ramahlwe Mphahlele (Sundowns)

Midfielders:
Themba Zwane (Sundowns), Sibusiso Vilakazi (Wits), Oupa Manyisa (Orlando Pirates), Andile Jali (KV Oostende), Dean Furman (Doncaster), Ayanda Patosi (FC Lokeren), Keagan Dolly (Ajax CT), Mandla Masango (Kaizer Chiefs), Kamo Mokotjo (FC Twente)

Forwards:
Tokelo Rantie (AFC Bournemouth),  Bongani Ndulula (Amazulu), Bonginkosi Ntuli (Sundowns), David Zulu (Chippa United)

Reserves:
Darren Keet (KV Kortrijkm, Belgium), Ronwen Williams (SuperSport United), Ntsikelelo Nyauza (Orlando Pirates), Bongani Zungu (Mamelodi Sundowns), Jabulani Shongwe (Bidvest Wits), George Lebese (Kaizer Chiefs), Percy Tau (Mamelodi Sundowns), Nhlakanipho Ntuli (FC Twente, Netherlands), Siyanda Ngubo (North West Shining Stars)

Technical team:

Ephraim Mashaba (Head Coach)
Owen Da Gama (1st Assistant Coach)
Thabo Senong (2nd Assistant Coach)
Lucky Shiburi (Goalkeeper Coach)
Dr Thulani Ngwenya (Team Doctor)
Nhlanhla Maphanga (Physiotherapist)
Kabelo Rangoaga (Fitness Trainer)
Sizwe Gcongco (Masseur)

Bafana Bafana face Group A opponents Sudan in Khartoum on September 5 and then return home to face Nigeria on September 10.

Did you read: Sport24 pick Bafana XI

Nigeria named their 23 man squad earlier this week. Read that story HERE!