Publications
Partners
Cape Town - Head coach of the South African Senior Men’s
National Team, Shakes Mashaba has made two changes for the COSAFA
Castle Cup final clash against Botswana which will be played on Saturday night at the Sam Nujoma Stadium in Namibia.
Kickoff is at 18:30 South African time.
Reyaad Pieterse has recovered from his injury and returns to goals after he was
substituted in the semi-final clash against Swaziland, which Bafana Bafana won
5-1.
The back four has a slightly different look about it. Tercious Malepe retains
his place after an impressive debut against Sihlangu, and will play alongside
captain Rivaldo Coetzee in central defence. Tebogo Moerane will start at left
back, while Abbubaker Mobara has been moved from midfield to right back to take
the place of Thembela Sikhakhane.
Menzi Masuku, who scored a brace from the bench in the last match, gets his
first start of the tournament. Deolin Mekoa, Aubrey Modiba and Lebogang Phiri
complete the midfield.
Striker Gift Motupa makes a return to the team after serving his one-match
suspension and will be partnerned by Judas Moseamedi. Motupa takes the place of
Thabiso Kutumela.
Mashaba is excited at the prospect of lifting the COSAFA Castle Cup trophy and ruling the region again. Bafana Bafana have won the COSAFA Cup on three occasions – 2002, 2007 and 2008, but he won't take Botswana lightly.
“The Zebras of Botswana are a great team and we will give them the respect they
deserve. We have watched all their matches during the tournament and know their
strengths. We are looking to build from our last match where we managed to
score five goals, however; we do not want to concede an early goal like we did
in our first two matches as it might prove dangerous for us. We have managed to
get away with it on two occasions, and we might not be lucky this time. So we
have to be certain that we do not let them in,” said Mashaba.
South Africa starting XI:
Reyaad Pieterse (GK); Tebogo Moerane; Abbubaker Mobara; Rivaldo Coetzee (c);
Tercious Malepe; Deolin Mekoa; Lebogang Phiri; Aubrey Modiba; Menzi Masuku;
Judas Moseamedi; Gift Motupa
Subs:
Jody February (GK), Nkosingiphile Gumede (GK), Tshepo Rikhotso; Siphesihle Stuurman, Thembela Sikhakhane, Thembinkosi Lorch; Thabiso Kutumela
