OWN CORRESPONDENT, Johannesburg | Wednesday 4.20pm
BAFANA Bafana coach Trott Moloto on Wednesday kept the essence of the team who played against Mauritius last weekend in Durban, but recalled five players to a 21-man squad for next week’s double-header against Zimbabwe and Angola.
South Africa meet Zimbabwe in a challenge match at the FNB Stadium next Wednesday to celebrate the inauguration of President-elect Thabo Mbeki, before playing their final African Nations Cup qualifier against Angola in Luanda, three days later.
Sundowns goalkeeper John Tlale, defender Aaron Mokoena (Ajax Amsterdam), and three midfielders — Orlando Pirates’ John Moeti, Vaal Professionals’ Papi Mbele and Seven Stars’ Junaid Hartley — have been drafted.
Moloto says he was forced to drop three players from last weekend’s squad.
Atletico Madrid midfielder Quinton Fortune, Turkey-based John ‘Shoes’ Moshoeu and Bradley Carnell of Vfb Stuttgart have made way for Hartley, Moeti and Mbele respectively.
Moloto says he hasn’t given the Zimbabwe match much thought, but he wants to celebrate the dawn of President-elect Mbeki’s era with a Bafana Bafana victory.
The team assembles in Johannesburg on Saturday to prepare for Wednesday’s fixture and will probably leave for Luanda next Friday or Saturday.
The squad: Goalkeepers — Brian Baloyi (Kaizer Chiefs), Hans Vonk (Heerenveen FC, Holland), John Tlale (Sundowns). Defenders — Mark Fish (Bolton Wanderers, England), Themba Mnguni (Sundowns), Lucas Radebe (Leeds United, England), Pierre Issa (Olympique Marseilles, France), Papi Khomane (Orlando Pirates), Aaron Mokoena (Ajax Amsterdam, Holland).
Midfielders — Thabo Mngomeni (Orlando Pirates), John Moeti (Orlando Pirates), Helman Mkhalele (Ankaragucu, Turkey), Godfrey Sapula (Jomo Cosmos), Papi Mbele (Vaal Professionals), Joel Masilela (Sundowns), Junaid Hartley (Seven Stars), David Nyathi (Cagliari, Italy). Strikers — Shaun Bartlett (FC Zurich, Switzerland), Daniel Mudau (Sundowns), Benedict McCarthy (Ajax Amsterdam), Phil Masinga (Bari, Italy).