Bafana squad named

JOHANNESBURG. — Bafana Bafana coach Gordon Igesund has announced a balanced squad of 23 players to take on World and European champions Spain in an international friendly match scheduled for Tuesday, November 19, 2013.
Dubbed “The Champions are Coming,” the historic clash will take place at the home of South African football, FNB Stadium, in Nasrec near Soweto. Kick-off is at 9pm.

Igesund has selected a mixture of youth and experience, with an average age of 24 years.
He has named nine players based overseas, with the rest based locally.
“I am very excited about the squad and I hope the whole country is excited too.

“The squad you see today is a true reflection of the type of players we are looking for going forward to the 2015 and 2017 Afcon tournaments in Morocco and Libya respectively, as well as the 2018 Fifa World Cup in Russia,” said Igesund.

“You have to get the balance right and it hasn’t been easy because there have been some ambassadors of this country over the last few years who are now on their way out of the national team as they will not be around for the 2018 World Cup.

“But they have played a huge role and will still do so for a while because we cannot just throw in the youngsters — they need guidance from these experienced players.

“I am also happy that these youngsters are gradually coming through.”
The Bafana Bafana mentor added that they are glad they landed an opponent of Spain’s calibre. “It is always a pleasure and a great thrill for any player to play against the best in the world,” he said.

Full Squad
Goalkeepers: Itumeleng Khune (C) (Kaizer Chiefs), Senzo Meyiwa (Orlando Pirates)
Defenders: Thabo Nthete (Bloemfontein Celtic FC (SA), Bongani Khumalo (Doncaster Rovers), Buhle Mkhwanazi (Tuks FC), Siyanda Xulu (FC Rostov), Anele Ngcongca (Racing Genk), Tsepo Masilela (Kaizer Chiefs), Thabo Matlaba (Orlando Pirates)
Midfielders: Dean Furman (Doncaster Rovers), Kagisho Dikgacoi (Crystal Palace), Andile Jali (Orlando Pirates), Daylon Claasen (Lech Poznan), Kamohelo Mokotjo (PEC Zwolle), Bongani Zungu (Mamelodi Sundowns), Oupa Manyisa (Orlando Pirates), Ayanda Patosi (Lokeren), Lerato Chabangu (Moroka Swallows), Siphiwe Tshabalala (Kaizer Chiefs), Sibusiso Vilakazi (Bidvest Wits)
Strikers: Bernard Parker (Kaizer Chiefs), Tokelo Rantie (Bournemouth), Kermit Erasmus (Orlando Pirates). – SuperSport.com