Pitso’s first Bafana squad is out — Mbuthuma in, Foster out
Pitso Mosimane has named his first final Bafana Bafana squad. The new coach has kept the World Cup spine, sprinkled in new faces, and left some big names on the outside.
South Africa host Guinea at Orlando Amstel Arena on 26 September, then face Eritrea in Cairo on 30 September. A friendly against Egypt on 4 October completes the FIFA window.
Rangers centre-back Olwethu Makhanya makes the cut after saying Hugo Broos overlooked him. Hannover’s Ime Okon, Pirates and PSL defender of the season Lebone Seema and Chiefs midfielder Lebohang Maboe are in.
Chicago Fire’s Puso Dithejane and Belgium-based pair Relebohile Mofokeng and Chandre Campbell also get the nod.
Lyle Foster is not on the list. World Cup regulars Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Khuliso Mudau, Thalente Mbatha and Evidence Makgopa were already ruled out through injury.
Captain Ronwen Williams leads a three-goalkeeper group with Sipho Chaine and Ricardo Goss. Sundowns still dominate the core with 11 players in the squad.
Full squad
Goalkeepers: Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns), Sipho Chaine (Orlando Pirates), Ricardo Goss (Mamelodi Sundowns)
Defenders: Aubrey Modiba (Mamelodi Sundowns), Samukele Kabini (Molde), Fawaaz Basadien (Mamelodi Sundowns), Kamogelo Sebelebele (Orlando Pirates), Thapelo Morena (Mamelodi Sundowns), Thabang Matuludi (Mamelodi Sundowns), Olwethu Makhanya (Rangers), Khulumani Ndamane (TS Galaxy), Ime Okon (Hannover 96), Lebone Seema (Orlando Pirates), Nkosinathi Sibisi (Orlando Pirates)
Midfielders: Teboho Mokoena (Mamelodi Sundowns), Lebohang Maboe (Kaizer Chiefs), Sphephelo Sithole (Tondela), Bathusi Aubaas (Mamelodi Sundowns), Brooklyn Poggenpoel (Durban City)
Forwards: Iqraam Rayners (Mamelodi Sundowns), Yanela Mbuthuma (Orlando Pirates), Cassius Mailula (Mamelodi Sundowns), Oswin Appollis (Orlando Pirates), Puso Dithejane (Chicago Fire), Tashreeq Matthews (Mamelodi Sundowns), Relebohile Mofokeng (Union Saint-Gilloise), Themba Zwane (Mamelodi Sundowns), Thapelo Maseko (FC Copenhagen), Luther Singh (AEL Limassol), Shandre Campbell (KV Kortrijk)
Mosimane’s era starts now. Guinea first.
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