Bafana Bafana coach Ted Dumitru sprung a few surprises this weekend when he named his 23-strong squad for the upcoming African Cup of Nations.
The official announcement had been due to take place on Monday, but according to Dumitru the South African Football Association (Safa) told him to release the names on Saturday as the Safa offices were still closed and there was nobody available to organise a press conference for Monday.
Dumitru, a mentor not shy of controversy, has included lesser-known Benoni Premier United defender Tsepo Masilela, midfielder Mlungisi Gumede, Simphiwe Tshabalala and evergreen Pirates midfielder-cum-defender Daniel ”Sailor” Tshabalala.
Sailor Tshabalala’s call-up to the national has been justified by his stellar performances in the leaky Orlando Pirates defence.
Masilela, Gumede and Simphiwe Tshabalala caught Dumitru’s critical eye during Bafana’s two practice matches against the Premier Soccer League Invitational XI.
The rest of the team picks itself with Calvin Marlin, Moeneeb Josephs and the in-form Avril Phadi.
The defence will be marshalled by Mbulelo Mabizela along with Pierre Issa, Ricardo Katza and Jimmy Tau. Masilela’s international will not come easier than being surrounded by the likes of former skipper Mabizela and veteran Issa.
Out of the Bafana defence is the in-form Supersport United defender Siboniso Gaxa, whose place in the team was almost a certainty until Masilela caught Dumitru’s eye.
Dumitru has selected a youthful and creative midfield with the new captain, Sibusiso Zuma, certain to be the catalyst of all the Bafana attacks.
Zuma will be aided by the capable Benedict Vilakazi, Vuyo Mere, Elrio van Heerden and Siyabonga Nkosi.
In the strike force, Dumitru has gone for the tried and tested in Benedict McCarthy and Siyabonga Nomvete, with Katlego Mphela an obvious choice with his dominance in the air and goal-poaching skills. The young Lebohang Mokoena has also been given the nod, along with the gigantic Nkosinathi Nhleko.
”Benson Mhlongo was left out of the squad due to injury. There are a few players that are simply not ready and not been given enough time to adjust to international football; they are Daine Klate, Gift Leremi, Asanda Sishuba and Tonic Chabalala,” Dumitru told Kick-Off magazine.
”I believe the players are victims of not playing enough international friendlies,” Dumitru said.
”I included Mlungisi Gumbi, Siyabonga Nkosi, Tshepo Masilela, Daniel Tshabalala and Mlungisi Gumbi in my squad as I believe they do not need to adjust to playing international football,” the coach added.
The squad leave for Egypt on Thursday. — Sapa
Squad
Goalkeepers: Moneeb Josephs (Ajax Cape Town), Calvin Marlin (Supersport United), Avril Phadi (Jomo Cosmos)
Defenders: Siboniso Gaxa (Supersport United), Ricardo Katza (Supersport United), Pierre Issa (OFI Crete/Greece), Mbulelo Mabizela (Valerenga/Norway), Tshepo Masilela (Premier United), Vuyo Mere (Sundowns), Jimmy Tau (Chiefs)
Midfielders: Joseph Makhanya (Pirates), Daniel ”Sailor” Tshabalala (Pirates), Benedict Vilakazi (Pirates), Mlungisi Gumbi (Golden Arrows), Elrio van Heerden (FC Copenhagen/Denmark), Siyabonga Nkosi (Bloem Celtic), Simphiwe Tshabalala (Free State Stars)
Strikers: Lebohang Mokoena (Pirates), Siyabonga Nomvete (Pirates), Benni McCarthy (Porto/Portugal), Katlego Mphela (Supersport), Nkosinathi Nhleko (Viking Stavanger/Norway), Sibusiso Zuma (Arminia Bielefeld/Germany, captain)