BREAKING: Devin Titus, Jaedin Rhodes, Ethan Brooks headline Helman Mkhalele’s Bafana Bafana squad for Hollywoodbets COSAFA Cup

Royal AM goalkeeper Mondli Mpoto and AmaZulu’s Olwethu Mzimela are expected to battle for the number one jersey, while Samkelo Xulu competes the trio of goalkeeping choices.

Stellenbosch’s Antonio Van Wyk and Cape Town City’s Jaedin Rhodes alongside Ethan Brooks are among those who Mkhalele will invest his faith in to help Mzansi win what would be a sixth title and a first since 2021.

South Africa last win the COSAFA Cup under the leadership of Morena Ramoreboli. Last year, Bafana finished third for the second after collecting their first bronze 2013.

This will be the first time that Mkhalele takes charge of the Bafana side after seemingly completing his coaching badges. COSAFA Cup requires head coaches to hold CAF A or B Pro License, which Mkhalele recently acquired.

Mkhalele said this will give the national team a chance to expand their pool as Bafana take part in the COSAFA Cup with one eye on the future.

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“As the technical team, we view the COSAFA Cup as a great opportunity for us to increase the database of our team by giving players exposure and the international experience that we will need the qualifiers for the Africa Cup of Nations as well as the FIFA World Cup qualifiers,” said Mkhalele.

He added: “We have observed during the AFCON that Africa football has improved drastically, so for us to sustain the current performance of Bafana, and improve it, it is important that we have players who can perform at that level without any doubt. We are excited to participate in this COSAFA Cup.”

The COSAFA Cup will run from 26 June to 7 July.