South Africa reveals Afcon 2015 squad

Bafana Bafana coach Shakes Mashaba has named a provisional 34-man squad for the CAF Orange Africa Cup of Nations (Equatorial Guinea 2015) tournament which starts next month.

Mashaba has kept the bulk of the team that played in AFCON qualifiers where they went unbeaten in six matches.

He has named four goalkeepers, 10 defenders, 15 midfielders and five strikers.

The squad will be trimmed down to the required 23 for the tournament on Tuesday, 30 December after a mini-training camp that will be held in Johannesburg from 26 – 30 December.

“The bulk of the boys in the squad are the ones who helped Bafana Bafana to be where it is now and we didn’t want to change much going into AFCON. The bloated squad means we want to give everyone a chance as we don’t have guaranteed places in the team; it is an opportunity for all of them to fight hard for the final spot,” said Mashaba.

“Änd for those not on the list, we can’t say for sure they are completely out as they also stand a good chance of making it. As you can see most of those on the list have been with us for the last three months or so.”

Bafana Bafana’s opening match of the tournament is against Algeria on Monday, 19 January (21h00 SA time), followed by the clash with Senegal on Friday, 23 January (21h00 SA time) with the last group stages match against Ghana on Tuesday, 27 January (20h00 SA time).

South Africa will play all their group stage matches in Mongomo.

South Africa's provisional Afcon squad:

Goalkeepers: Darren Keet (KV Kortrijk), Brilliant Khuzwayo, (Kaizer Chiefs), Jackson Mabokgwane (Mpumalanga Black Aces), Siyabonga Mpontshane (Platinum Stars).

Defenders: Anele Ngcongca (Racing Genk), Eric Mathoho (Kaizer Chiefs), Patrick Phungwayo, Thabo Matlaba (Orlando Pirates), Thulani Hlatshwayo, Siyabonga Nhlapho (both Bidvest Wits), Kwanda Mngonyama (Maritzburg United), Mzikayise Mashaba (Mamelodi Sundowns), Rivaldo Coetzee (Ajax Cape Town), Ntsikelelo Nyauza (Orlando Pirates).

Midfielders: Andile Jali (KV Oostende), Asavela Mbekile, Bongani Zungu (both Mamelodi Sundowns), Dean Furman (Doncaster Rovers), Oupa Manyisa (Orlando Pirates), Mandla Masango (Kaizer Chiefs), Thulani Serero (Ajax Amsterdam), Sibusiso Vilakazi (Bidvest Wits), Thuso Phala (SuperSport United), Reneilwe Letsholonyane (Kaizer Chiefs), Jabulani Shongwe (Bidvest Wits), Themba Zwane (both Mamelodi Sundowns), Mondli Cele (Maritzburg United), Thamsanqa Sangweni (Chippa United), Vuyisile Wana (Moroka Swallows).

Strikers: Ayanda Patosi (KSC Lokeren), Bongani Ndulula (AmaZulu), Bernard Parker (Kaizer Chiefs), David Zulu (Chippa United), Tokelo Rantie (AFC Bournemouth).


Source: SAFA