Share

Jali to captain Bafana against Angola

Cape Town - Phakamani Mahlambi, Luther Singh and Diamond Thopola will make their Bafana Bafana debuts when they start against Angola in an international friendly match at the Buffalo City Stadium in East London on Tuesday.

According to the official SAFA website, the trio are part of nine changes made by stand-in Bafana Bafana head coach Owen da Gama to the starting XI that beat Guinea-Bissau 3-1 in Durban last Saturday.

Defenders Eric Mathoho and Tebogo Langerman are the only survivors from the last match while Darren Keet gets the nod ahead of Itumeleng Khune in goal.

Keet's last game for Bafana Bafana was the 3-1 loss to Algeria in January 2015 in the Africa Cup of Nations tournament held in Equatorial Guinea.

Langerman will continue at left-back while Thopola will occupy the right-back position. Mathoho will partner Rivaldo Coetzee in central defence. 

Andile Jali and Tiyani Mabunda will pull the strings from the middle of the park where they will be assisted by Under-20 internationals Phakamani Mahlambi and Luther Singh.

Jali will also captain the side - the second time he has done so. He last wore the armband in January 2015 in Libreville, Gabon when Bafana Bafana defeated Mali 3-0 in a pre-tournament friendly ahead of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations. The Belgium-based player has shrugged off a shoulder injury to fight his way into the starting line-up. 

Up front, Lebohang Manyama will go in search of goals alongside Percy Tau. 

The injured Thulani Hlatshwayo will be in the stands and will be joined by Thabo Mnyamane as only 12 players are allowed to sit on the bench.

BAFANA BAFANA XI: 

Darren Keet (GK), Diamond Thopola, Tebogo Langerman, Erick Mathoho, Rivaldo Coetzee, Andile Jali (captain), Tiyani Mabunda, Phakamani Mahlambi, Luther Singh, Lebohang Manyama, Percy Tau 

Substitutes: Shu-aib Walters (GK), Itumeleng Khune (GK), Lorenzo Gordinho, Ramahlwe Mphahlele, Hlompo Kekana, Kamohelo Mokotjo, Dean Furman, Keagan Dolly, Themba Zwane, Thulani Serero, Lars Veldwijk, Kermit Erasmus

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
26% - 1273 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1470 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2249 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE