MARK GLEESON, Johannesburg | Tuesday 3.40pm.
SOUTH Africa have granted a reprieve to Brendan Augustine, expelled from the squad during last year’s World Cup finals, and called him up for the Cosafa Castle Cup quarter-final against Namibia in Windhoek at the end of the the month.
Augustine, sent home in disgrace from France after breaking a curfew by staying out all night at a disco in Vichy, was given a chance on Tuesday to revive his international career in the southern African championship game on July 31.
The utility player, who has been capped 30 times in both midfield and as a striker, has recently returned home after three seasons with LASK in Austria, signing at the weekend for the newly-formed Cape Town Ajax team.
South African coach Trott Moloto named just four European-based players in his 19-man squad, electing not to risk the ire of the major clubs in Europe where South African internationals play.
The Turkish-based trio of Pollen Ndlanya, Alfred Phiri and Godfrey Sapula will be joined by Swiss-based striker Shaun Bartlett of FC Zurich.
There is only one uncapped player in the squad, Andries Sebola of Orlando Pirates.
The absence of English-based captain Lucas Radebe, of Leeds United, and his injured deputy John Moeti means a new captain wil have to be appointed for the game. Bartlett and Augustine lead the list of likely contenders.
Squad
Goalkeepers: Brian Baloyi (Kaizer Chiefs), John Tlale (Mamelodi Sundowns)
Defenders: Matthew Booth (Cape Town Spurs), Papi Khomane (Orlando Pirates), Clyde Mahlangu (SuperSport United), Fabian McCarthy (Bloemfontein Celtic), Themba Mnguni (Mamelodi Sundowns)
Midfielders: Brendan Augustine (Cape Town Ajax), Junaid Hartley (Orlando Pirates), Joel Masilela, Papi Mbele (Mamelodi Sundowns), Jerome McCarthy (Kaizer Chiefs), Thabo Mngomeni (Orlando Pirates), Alfred Phiri (Genclerbirligi, Turkey), Godfrey Sapula (Ankaragucu, Turkey)
Strikers: Shaun Bartlett (FC Zurich, Switzerland), Daniel Mudau (Mamelodi Sundowns), Pollen Ndlanya (Goztepi, Turkey), Andries Sebola (Orlando Pirates). — Reuters