Bafana Bafana coach Carlos Alberto Parreira named 23 players — including six strikers — for a mini-camp that will give fringe players a chance to show that they have what it takes to represent the national team in 2010.
Parreira is hoping he and his staff will be surprised when they put members of the mini-camp squad through their paces on Monday and Tuesday. The Bafana hopefuls will play friendlies against Mvela Golden League outfits University of Pretoria and FC AK at Sturrock Park, Wits University.
”Maybe some of the boys will surprise us during the games, you never know,” said Parreira. ”But I cannot say who of these boys will be part of the squad for 2010. That is not possible right now.
”We are in a building process and we have to identify players for every position and we will give players a chance to show their worth at these mini-camps.”
The next mini-camp is scheduled for October. Parreira admitted that the lack of goals prompted them to call-up six strikers for their two-day camp in Gauteng.
”We are not scoring as many goals as I’d like to see and we can improve on this by giving young potential strikers this opportunity,” he said.
He also added that Blackburn Rovers striker Benni McCarthy would be an asset to the national team.
”He has made it clear what he wants from the South African Football Association and they have to deal with the matter,” Parreira noted. ”There is no doubt that Benni can be an asset to the team and that he will be welcomed to the team.
”My door is open to him, but if he comes it must be because he wants to play for the team. He must come with a good heart,” Parreira added.
Parreira further explained the reason for inviting players like Bamuza Sono, Jabu Maluleke and Thembile Kanono to the mini-camp.
”We need to see about 100 players, but the numbers will be cut down towards 2009 to create a pool of 40 players by the Confederations Cup. We have been selecting different teams for training games, friendly
games, Cosafa Castle Cup and the African Cup of Nations qualifiers, but the sole purpose is to end up with one team by the target date.
”We are trying to utilise all available dates outside Fifa dates as much as possible and we had no problems from clubs in the release of players who are needed. The aim is to merge the players that we are identifying through these camps and the core team by 2008, so that we can have a main team contesting the Fifa Confederations Cup in 2009.”
Squad for the mini-camp:
Goalkeepers: Itumeleng Khune (Kaizer Chiefs), Moeneeb Josephs (Wits University), 3 Wayne Sandilands (Platinum Stars)
Defenders: Nazeer Allie Ajax (Cape Town), Thabo Nthethe (Bloemfontein Celtic), Robyn Johannes (Mamelodi Sundowns), Dominic Isaacs (Ajax Cape Town), Siyabonga Sangweni (Golden Arrows), Thapelo Tshilo (Jomo Cosmos), Tsepo Masilela (Benoni Premier United), Brett Evans (Ajax Cape Town)
Midfielders: Clifford Ngobeni (Ajax Cape Town), Thembile Kanono (Santos), Kagisho Dikgacoi (Lamontville Golden Arrows), Bafo Biyela (Amazulu), Bhamuza Sono (Jomo Cosmos), Jabu Maluleke (Black Leopards)
Strikers: Mabhudi Khanyeza (Kaizer Chiefs), Lebohang Mokoena (Orlando Pirates), Kaizer Motaung Jnr (Kaizer Chiefs), Petros Mahlatsi (Bloemfontein Celtic), Franklin Cale (Ajax Cape Town), Thando Mngomeni (Santos). — Sapa