Kaizer Chiefs supporters were not amused after their players failed to make the final Bafana Bafana team for the international friendly games against Tanzania and Mozambique, respectively.
However, five have been included in the second-string side that will represent the country in the Cosafa competition that will be played in Bloemfontein from June 4 to 15. Amakhosi have their goalkeeper Bruce Bvuma in the team, young left-back Aden McCarthy, defensive midfielder Thabo Cele, versatile midfielder Mduduzi Shabalala and attacker Wandile Duba.
Some notable names in the squad are Puso Dithejane of TS Galaxy, Stellenbosch's Sanele Barns, Galaxy's Victor Letsoalo, Orlando Pirates' reported signing Masindi Nemtajela, among others.
Why is Mdaka not with the team?
Raymond Mdaka, who recently won the U20 Africa Cup of Nations with Amajiita has been replaced by Vela Khumalo.
“Unfortunately, coach Raymond is not around because he is attending the FIFA draw and workshop for the Under-20 national teams in Chile. So, we felt that we must give him a break because he was in Egypt at the U20 Africa Cup of Nations [SA won the tournament and are the African champions] only a few days ago, and after that, he went to Chile for the workshop,” SAFA Technical Committee Chairman Jack Maluleke told Safa media team.
Khumalo hopes to help his team go all the way and win the annual tournament, “We are looking forward to this tournament and we’re playing at home, we’re playing in Bloemfontein, and we cannot compromise the team. This is another Bafana Bafana team and I’m happy, I’m excited. We want to go through, and we want to win COSAFA.
“I remember the last time we won it with coach Morena Ramoreboli when we were co-coaches, now it’s me alone. I think this is the right time for us to express ourselves and show how we as South Africans are on the winning streak, and we are happy and in a good space,” he concluded.
Bafana Bafana are in Group A alongside Mozambique, Mauritius, and Zimbabwe.
