TUESDAY, 11.00AM:
MAMELODI Sundowns’ Isaac Shai was the only new player in the 23-man squad named by national soccer coach Clive Barker on Monday to face Congo on August 16 at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg. Barker has kept the same squad who did duty against Zambia two months ago.
Defender David Nyathi and striker Jerry Sikhosana were dropped. Barker said the axing of the two players was a ”wake-up” call for the players.
He named nine midfielders and said this will provide him with more options in his game plan.
Barker said Shai has been the missing link he has been looking for on the left flank. He said midfielder John ”Shoes” Moshoeu is fit and played for his team on Sunday after being sidelined by a groin injury. ”He is fine, he played on Sunday and scored after missing two weeks of play,” he said.
THE SQUAD:
GOALKEEPERS: Mark Anderson (Bush Bucks), Andre Arendse (Fulham, England), Brian Baloyi (Kaizer Chiefs).
DEFENDERS: Mark Fish (Lazio, Italy), Sizwe Motaung (Tenerife Spain), Andrew Rabutla (Poak, Greece), Lucas Radebe (Leeds United,England), Isaac Shai (Sundowns), Neil Tovey (Kaizer Chiefs).
MIDFIELDERS: Linda Buthelezi (Sundowns), Doctor Khumalo (Columbus Crew, USA), Clinton Larsen (Manning Rangers), Helman Mkhalele (Gaziantespor, Turkey), Thomas Madigage (Supersport United), John Moeti (Orlando Pirates), John ”Shoes” Moshoeu (Kocaelispor, Turkey), Dumisa Ngobe (Orlando Pirates), Eric Tinkler (Barnsley, England).
STRIKERS: Brendan Augustine (Lask, Austria), Shaun Bartlett (Metrostars, USA), Phil Masinga (Bari, Italy), Pollen Ndlanya(Bursapor, Turkey), Mark Williams (Kaizer Chiefs).