adminPetros Kausiyo Deputy Sports Editor
SOUTH AFRICA coach Gordon Igesund is taking their international friendly against Zimbabwe seriously and yesterday named a decent squad for next month’s international friendly against the Warriors.Bafana Bafana will host the Warriors on September 10 as part of their first steps to prepare for the 2014 African Nations Championships finals.
Both sides will be part of the CHAN finals with Bafana Bafana, having qualified by virtue of being the hosts, while the Warriors upstaged fancied Zambia to secure their passage to the tournament, which will run from January 11 to February 1.
The international friendly between Bafana and Bafana and the Warriors at a venue still to be confirmed, but likely to be the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane, will also come just days after the two teams’ contrasting 2014 World Cup qualifying assignments.
While the Warriors will welcome Mozambique in a Group G dead rubber, Igesund’s men will face Botswana seeking to beat the Zebras and also hoping that group leaders Ethiopia falter against the Central African Republic for them to sail through.
Warriors coach Ian “Dibango’’ Gorowa is to announce his squad for the September 10 clash but the coach has previously hinted on blending some of the local players from his CHAN squad with the bulk of those plying their trade in the Absa Premiership in South Africa.
Gorowa, who flew back to his base in South Africa yesterday, could not be reached for comment but there are indications that the coach would have named his side by the end of this week.
The showdown with Bafana Bafana offers him with his first opportunity to also assess the foreign-based professionals at his disposal and Gorowa now looks set to consider his men from a pool of Super Diski players who include Willard Katsande, Knowledge Musona, Khama Billiat, Cuthbert Malajila, Carlington Nyadombo and Washington Arubi.
Gorowa has already indicated that Kaizer Chiefs anchorman will be the only foreign-based player in the side that will face Mozambique as he wants his current CHAN squad to remain intact. Assistant coach Callisto Pasuwa said last night that some of the players who would not have had a chance to pay against Mozambique could get some game time against Bafana Bafana.
BAFANA BAFANA v ZIMBABWE SQUAD
GOALKEEPERS: Itumeleng Khune (Kaizer Chiefs), Wayne Sandilands
(Mamelodi Sundowns), Darren Keet (KV Kortrijk)
DEFENDERS: Eric Mathoho (Kaizer Chiefs), Tshepo Gumede (Platinum
Stars), Thabo Nthethe (Bloemfontein Celtic), Tsepo Masilela (Kaizer
Chiefs), Buhle Mkhwanazi (Tuks FC), Thulani Hlatshwayo (Ajax Cape
Town), Marc Van Heerden (AmaZulu)
MIDFIELDERS: Hlompho Kekana (Mamelodi Sundowns), Reneilwe
Letsholonyane (Kaizer Chiefs), Bongani Zungu (Mamelodi Sundowns),
Thuso Phala (Supersport United), Siphiwe Tshabalala (Kaizer Chiefs),
David Mathebula (SuperSport United), Ruzaigh Gamildien (Bloemfontein
Celtic ), Lerato Chabangu (Moroka Swallows), Luyolo Nomandela (Free
State Stars)
STRIKERS: Bernard Parker (Kaizer Chiefs), Lebogang Manyama (Ajax Cape
Town), Siphelele Mthembu (Platinum Stars), Kermit Erasmus (Orlando
Pirates).
Online Reporter