Bafana Bafana coach Carlos Alberto Parreira has been hoarding candidates for the South African squad to participate in the African Nations Cup in Ghana early in the new year.
On Friday, the Brazilian-born coach added to his not inconsiderable collection when he introduced a host of new names in the squad to play Lesotho at the Germiston Stadium on Tuesday night in what has vaguely been termed ”a training match”.
The inclusion of Platinum Stars goalkeeper Wayne Sandilands, Kaizer Chiefs fullback Mokete Tsotetsi, Bloemfontein Celtic’s Thabo Ntethe, Orlando Pirates’ Innocent Mdledle, Lindokuhle Mkhwanazi and Excellent Walaza, Erwin Isaac of Santos, Mfundo Shumana of Ajax Cape Town and Diyo Sibisi of Free State Stars balloons to more than 50 the number of players who are now ostensibly candidates for Ghana.
But while it might be commendable for Parreira to be casting his net as wide as possible, many might subscribe to the view that with the African Nations Cup kick-off now less than two months away, he should rather be trimming down the number of candidates.
Also, it cannot be disputed that with some of the more vaunted Bafana stars performing in limp fashion in recent games and newcomers like Teko Modise having a dynamic influence, Parreira must now be in two minds over who to field in the opening-round African Nations Cup games against Tunisia, Angola and Senegal.
At any rate, a Bafana spokesperson confirmed on Friday that official caps would not be awarded for the Lesotho game — presumably because Parreira wishes to continue increasing his collection of players.
Or is it — as one pundit mischievously suggested — insurance that, in the event of Bafana losing to Lesotho, they can always scrub the result from the record books? — Sapa
Bafana squad to play Lesotho
Wayne Sandilands (Platinum Stars), Itumeleng Khune (Kaizer Chiefs), Mokete Tsotetsi (Kaizer Chiefs), Bryce Moon (Ajax Cape Town), Bevan Fransman (Moroka Swallows), Ashraf Hendricks (Wits University), Thabo Ntethe (Bloemfontein Celtic), Innocent Mdledle (Orlando Pirates), Brett Evans (Ajax Cape Town), Brent Carelse (Mamelodi Sundowns), Siphiwe Tshabalala (Kaizer Chiefs), Lindokuhle Mkhwanazi (Orlando Pirates), Erwin Isaacs (Santos), Mfundo Shumana (Ajax Cape Town), Bennet Chenene (Orlando Pirates), Clifford Ngobeni (Ajax Cape Town), Thando Mngomeni (Santos), Excellent Walaza (Orlando Pirates),Norman Smith (Golden Arrows), Katlego Mphela (SuperSport United), Thembinkosi Fanteni (Ajax Cape Town), Diyo Sibisi (Free State Stars).