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Cape Town - Kaizer Chiefs left-back Tsepo Masilela has earned a recall to the national team as Bafana Bafana coach Shakes Mashaba named his side to face Mauritania on September 5.
Mashaba has selected a 25-man squad for the 2017 AFCON and again sprang several surprises when the team was announced on Thursday, August 20.
Along with Masilela, German-based midfielder Daylon Classen earned a call-up to the national team.
Kamohelo Mokotjo, Oupa Manyisa, Kermit Erasmus were excluded from the squad after being involved in much of Mashaba's most recent plans.
Arguably the biggest shocks were the exclusions of in-form duo, Thabo Rakhale and George Lebese.
Mashaba was forced into two changes to his goalkeeping department with Jackson Mabogkwane and Ronwen Williams replacing Brilliant Khuzwayo and Brighton Mhlongo, who are both out injured.
“Even though this match comes after a well-deserved rest, not just for the players but also for the technical team, due to the spacing in between, it has also killed the momentum of the team. But I have complete confidence in the players that we have selected and I believe they will deliver,” said Mashaba.
The Bafana Bafana coach is was confident of getting a good result in the West African country, reports SAFA.net.
“Some of the players have been on a long break and only started playing recently, but I know we will get the result we want. If you look at the squad we have picked, it is based on the opposition. They recently lost by a narrow margin to Cameroon, which means we cannot take them lightly,” said Mashaba.
“We need to drum into our players the fact that they should not look at the opposition and stop asking who Mauritania is. Let’s give them the respect they deserve. We need to score first and demoralise them because if they net first they might make it difficult for us to come back. In short we have to go there prepared so we can get a result.”
Mashaba says some people may look at the two teams’ rankings and think it will be a walk in the park for Bafana Bafana.
“Rankings don’t mean much on the field of play. Mauritania held Cameroon for the better part of their match in June, away in Cameroon so it clearly shows we need to be at our best to come back victorious,” added Mashaba.
The match will be played in Nouakchott, Mauritania. Kick-off is at 19:00 SA time.
Bafana Bafana squad:
Goalkeepers
Jackson Mabokgwane (Mpumalanga Aces FC), Itumeleng Khune (Kaizer Chiefs), Ronwen Williams (SuperSport United)
Defenders
Erick Mathoho (Kaizer Chiefs), Rivaldo Coetzee (Ajax Cape Town), Thulani Hlatshwayo (Bidvest Wits), Siyabonga Nhlapo (Bidvest Wits), Anele Ngcongca (Racing Genk), Mzikayise Mashaba (Mamelodi Sundowns), Siyabonga Zulu (Platinum Stars), Tsepo Masilela (Kaizer Chiefs)
Midfielder
Dean Furman (SuperSport United), Andile Jali (KV Oostende), Bongani Zungu (Sundowns), Mandla Masango (Randers FC), Phumlani Ntshangase (Bidvest Wits), Jabulani Shongwe (Bidvest Wits), Themba Zwane (Mamelodi Sundowns), Mpho Makola (Orlando Pirates), Ayanda Patosi (Lokeren), Daylon Claasen (1860 Munich),
Strikers
Thulani Serero (Ajax Amsterdam), Thamsanqa Gabuza (Orlando Pirates), Sibusiso Vilakazi (Bidvest Wits), Tokelo Rantie (Bournemouth)
