BY Obakeng Maje

Bafana Bafana have started their training camp at Orlando Stadium in Soweto which runs from Thursday, 27 December until Saturday, 29 December 2012.

 

The squad consists of 31 players – the 24 that was selected for the international friendly match against Malawi last weekend (Saturday, 22 December) in Durban and an additional seven more.

 

Head coach Gordon Igesund will announce the final 23-man squad on Sunday, 30 December.

 

Almost all players reported for national duty with the exception of striker Benni McCarthy and defender Eric Mathoho who have been withdrawn from the camp due to injuries. McCarthy is suffering from a troublesome hamstring while Mathoho has a knee injury.

 

“It is a blow when any player called up for the national team pulls out due to injury. It would have been a great situation to have both of them here,” said Igesund.

 

Ayanda Patosi and Andile Jali were given a break as a precautionary measure. Both have niggling ankle injuries but are expected to join their compatriots at training on Friday, 28 December.

 

Due to club commitments, England-based Kagisho Dikgacoi and Dean Furman, as well as Darren Keet who plays in Belgium will not be part of the training camp.

 

“I already have 19 players in my mind but I still have some decisions to make for the rest, so there are still some places up for grabs.

 

“These are exciting but also testing times for me and the players because at the end of the day only 23 players can make the squad. We saw in the match against Malawi that all players want to be part of this fiesta. But it does not mean if players are excluded from the AFCON squad it is the end of the road, we still have plenty of tournaments to come,” added Igesund.

 

“What I am happy about is the great vibe in the squad and you can see all the players are eager to do their best which makes life harder for me and my technical team.”

 

 

 

BAFANA BAFANA SQUAD FOR TEAM FOR TRAINING CAMP

 

NO.

 

  PLAYER’S NAME

 

  CLUB

 

                     GOALKEEPERS: 1.

 

  Itumeleng 

 

KHUNE Kaizer Chiefs FC (SA)

 

  2.

 

  Wayne 

 

SANDILANDS Mamelodi Sundowns FC (SA)

 

  3.

 

  Senzo 

 

MEYIWA Orlando Pirates FC (SA)

 

  DEFENDERS:

 

  4.

 

  Bevan

 

FRANSMAN Supersport United FC (SA)

 

  5.

 

  Thabo 

 

NTHETHE Bloemfontein Celtic (SA)

 

  6.

 

  Siyabonga

 

SANGWENI Orlando Pirates FC (SA)

 

  7.

 

  Siyanda 

 

XULU FC Rostov (Russia)

 

  8.

 

  Siboniso 

 

GAXA  Kaizer Chiefs FC (SA)

 

  9.

 

  Tshepo 

 

MASILELA Kaizer Chiefs FC (SA)

 

  10.

 

  Thabo 

 

MATLABA Orlando Pirates FC (SA)

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

               MIDFIELDERS: 11.

 

  Oupa

 

MANYISA Orlando Pirates FC (SA)

 

  12.

 

  Reneilwe

 

LETSHOLONYANE Kaizer Chiefs FC (SA)

 

  13.

 

  Siphiwe 

 

TSHABALALA Kaizer Chiefs FC (SA)

 

  14.

 

  Sifiso 

 

MYENI Orlando Pirates FC (SA)

 

  15.

 

  Thanduyise 

 

KHUBONI Lamontville Golden Arrows FC (SA)

 

  16.

 

  May 

 

MAHLANGU Helsingborg IF (Sweden)

 

  17.

 

  Delron

 

BUCKLEY Maritzburg United FC (SA)

 

  18.

 

  Lerato 

 

CHABANGU Moroka Swallows FC (SA)

 

  19.

 

  Thuso 

 

PHALA Platinum Stars FC (SA)

 

  20.

 

  Ayanda

 

PATOSI Lokeren FC (Belgium)

 

  21.

 

  Daine 

 

KLATE Orlando Pirates FC (SA)

 

  STRIKERS:

 

  22.

 

  Bernard 

 

PARKER Kaizer Chiefs FC (SA)

 

  23.

 

  Lehlohonolo 

 

MAJORO Kaizer Chiefs FC (SA)

 

  24.

 

  Tokelo 

 

RANTIE Malmo FF (Sweden)

 

    

ADDITIONAL PLAYERS:

 

1.

  Anele 

NGCONGCA Racing Genk FC (Belgium)

  2.

  Andile 

JALI Orlando Pirates FC (SA)

  3.

  Teko 

MODISE         Mamelodi Sundowns FC (SA)

  4.

  Bongani 

KHUMALO Paok FC (Greece)

  5.

  Ricardo 

NUNES MSK Zilina FC (Slovakia)

  6.

  Thulani

SERERO Ajax Amsterdam FC (Holland)

  7.

  Katlego 

MPHELA Mamelodi Sundowns FC (SA)