adminJOHANNESBURG. — Ajax Amsterdam star Thulani Serero was left out of the final 23-man Bafana Bafana squad for the 2015 African Cup of Nations soccer finals.
Bafana Bafana coach Shakes Mashaba has named the 23-man squad that will represent South Africa at the Caf Orange African Cup of Nations Equatorial Guinea 2015 tournament from January 17 to February 8 2015.
Mashaba has kept faith with most of the players that did duty during the Afcon 2015 qualifiers.
The coach had called up 34 players to the mini-training camp which started on Friday December 26 in Johannesburg — with only Dean Furman (England) and Thulani Serero (Netherlands) unable to join the camp.
Mashaba has named three goalkeepers, seven defenders, nine mid-fielders and four strikers.
Of the seven overseas-based contingent called up in the provisional squad, only Serero and Ayanda Patosi miss out on the plane to Equatorial Guinea.
Andile Jali, who did not train with the team since his arrival due to a knock on the knee, has been declared fit to travel.
“This was a very hectic exercise and if you look at all the players that were here, it was not easy to select the final 23. Unfortunately, we are bound by rules and regulations of the competition and had to trim the squad. We are glad we managed to select the players we believe will represent the country well in Equatorial Guinea,” said Mashaba.
“We still want to say to those who have been selected, this is a perfect opportunity for you, grab it with both hands because selection is not permanent. You still have to go out, work hard and make your country proud. To those who missed out, it is not the end of the world, there are more competitions coming, which means more opportunities again.”
Bafana Bafana have taken a short break from camp and will return in the New Year on Friday.
Two days later (Sunday, January 4) they will have a warm-up match against Equatorial Guinea-bound Zambia at Orlando Stadium in Soweto. Kickoff is at 3pm.
“This game will give us an indication of where we stand in terms of readiness for the tournament. I would just like to see fans come in numbers to say farewell and to congratulate the final 23,” added Mashaba.
The Bafana Bafana mentor also took the opportunity to wish South Africans well over the festive break.
“We are now approaching the dawning of the New Year, we would like to say to everyone look after yourselves. I know everyone is still excited as we are on holiday but don’t drink and drive, it is not safe at all. To those at the beach don’t drink and jump into the water, you are looking for trouble, be responsible in your celebrations,” concluded the coach.
“To all those who supported the team during the qualifying campaign, who sent us prayers and messages of support, we would like to say thank you. Now we are now moving to a higher level where we will need that support again. Come back and give the team the strength it needs to do well on this upcoming assignment.”
Bafana Bafana will travel to Gabon on January 6 for a pre-tournament camp where they are scheduled to play a number of warm-up matches.
They will face Cameroon in Libreville on January 10 with a clash with hosts Gabon pencilled in for either 13 or 14 January. The South African will then move to Equatorial Guinea on either January 14 or 15. — Supersport.com.
Online Reporter