ANDREW MUCHINERIPI, Johannesburg | Wednesday 1.00pm
GEORGE Koumantarakis has been recalled to Bafana Bafana for a Castle Cup Southern Africa (Cosafa) championship match against Mauritius on Saturday at the Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace in Phokeng.
Big George was capped twice as a substitute three years ago, coming on for David Nyathi in a World Cup qualifier against Congo and replacing Pollen Ndlanya in a friendly against Holland.
Let us hope national coach Trott Moloto is not too superstitious because Bafana Bafana lost those matches 2-0 and what once seemed an easy assignment against the Mauritians is no longer so given the experimental local squad.
Switzerland-based Koumantarakis is the only Europe-based player called up and Premier Soccer League champions-elect Sundowns successfully requested that their players be rested.
While no Sundowns officials were immediately available for comment, the surprise move was presumably taken because of the heavy Castle Premiership, Bob Save Super Bowl and African Champions League programme ahead.
The move by a club often quick to criticise Moloto for not choosing more of its players rules out goalkeeper John Tlale, who still has not conceded a goal in Bafana Bafana colours, defender Frankie Schoeman and midfielder Isaac Shai.
With overseas professionals Pierre Issa, Bradley Carnell and Shaun Bartlett also unavailable, only Cyril Nzama, Thabo Mngomeni, Joseph Ngake, Godfrey Sapula and Siyabonga Nomvete remain of the team that defeated Lesotho 1-0 last weekend.
Jomo Cosmos defender Andrew Rabutla is back after a two-year absence
and there are first call-ups for Andile Sexaba and Dylan Sheppard of Ajax Cape Town, Themba Seli of Free State Stars and Patrick Mayo of Bush Bucks.
Bafan squad:
Goalkeepers: Brian Baloyi (Kaizer Chiefs), Simon Gopane (Cosmos)
Defenders: Cyril Nzama (Bush Bucks) , Andrew Rabutla (Cosmos), Fabian McCarthy (Bloem Celtics), Andile Sexaba (Ajax Cape Town), Themba Seli (Free State Stars), David Kannemeyer (Ajax Cape Town).
Midfielders: Godfrey Sapula (Cosmos), Thabo Mngomeni (Pirates), Steve Lekoelea (Pirates), Dellon Sheperd (Ajax Cape Town), Jabu Pule (Kaizer Chiefs), Joseph Ngake (Pirates), Arthur Zwane (Classic).
Strikers: Siyabonga Nomvete (Kaizer Chiefs), Patrick Mayo (Bush Bucks), George Koumantarakis (Basel FC)