Stand-in Bafana Bafana coach Helman Mkhalele has named a 23-man squad that will contest this year's COSAFA Cup tournament which takes place in Durban from 5-17 July.
The 52-year Mkhalele said he was happy with the final 23 players selected and is confident they will do well on home soil later this month.
Mkhalele is in charge of the Bafana team as coach Hugo Broos has been excused from coaching at the regional tournament.
The Bafana squad will travel to Durban on 10 July ahead of their opening quarter-final clash against Mozambique, scheduled for 13 July at (17h00) Princess Magogo Stadium.
“This was not an easy process to go through given the fact that everybody in the team showed the hunger and desire to be in the final squad,” Mkhalele said.
“That’s what made it difficult but we are happy with the final 23 we have chosen. We have also made them aware of the expectations set to them going into this tournament and our first game against Mozambique.”
Brooks banks on previous experience to win Cosafa Cup https://t.co/JK9JzmJgSK
— Sowetan LIVE (@SowetanLIVE) July 4, 2022
Mkhalele admits their opening game against Mozambique will be crucial. In last years tournament Bafana beat Mozambique 3-0 enroute to the final against Senegal.
“When you go to any tournament as a coach, you need to make sure that you have selected players who have the right mindset, attitude and the willingness to win,” Mkhalele said.
“The first game against Mozambique is going to be crucial because this is a side we beat in last year’s edition en route to the final. They will go into this tie with the intentions of avenging that defeat and we cannot let them.
“We are the defending champions and our intention is to go all the way in fighting to defend our title.”
"We’re going to play against guys bigger, much older than us but it’s going to be a great experience for us."
— iDiski Times (@iDiskiTimes) July 3, 2022
AmaZulu midfielder Ethan Brooks has set his targets as the most experienced player in the Bafana Bafana squad ahead of the 2022 Cosafa Cup. https://t.co/5GrLvchBYj pic.twitter.com/VkYCHb6p8i
Bafana Bafana COSAFA Cup squad:
Goalkeepers: Lincoln Vyver (Cape Town Spurs), Olwethu Mzimela (AmaZulu), Lebohang Nthene (Stellenbosch)
Defenders: Sbonele Cele (Golden Arrows), Athenkosi Mcaba (Stellenbosch), Macbeth Mahlangu, (TS Galaxy), Keegan Johannes (SuperSport United), Zuko Madunyelwa (Chippa United), Siyanda Msani (University of Pretoria), Khulekani Shezi (Royal AM)
Midfielders: Jayden Adams (Stellenbosch), Ethan Brooks (AmaZulu), Sydney Malivha, Dan Ndlhovu (both Baroka FC), Selaelo Rasebotja, Thapelo Maseko (both SuperSport United), Rowan Human (Maritzburg United), Chumani Busaka (Cape Town Spurs)
Forwards: Azola Matrose (Orlando Pirates), Antonio van Wyk (Stellenbosch), Keletso Sifama (Kaizer Chiefs), Boitumelo Radiopane (Cape Town Spurs), Katlego Mashigo (Portadown).
