Connect with us

South Africa Bafana Bafana head coach Stuart Baxter has announced a 23-man squad to face Nigeria in a crucial 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on November 17 at the FNB Stadium.

South Africa are second in the group with eight points after their failure to beat Group E minnows Sychelles in their last fixture.

Selection headaches persist for Baxter who has had to contend with the absence of a number of key players due to injuries– the latest being England-based Kamohelo  Mokotjo.Other key players set to miss the fixture are Dean Furman, Bongani Zungu, Keagan Dolly, Sibusiso Vilakazi and Bradley Grobler, all out with long-term injuries.

Baxter called up goalkeepers Itumeleng Khune, Ronwen Williams, Darren Keet as well as defenders Ramahle Mphahlele, Motjeka Madisha, Siyanda Xulu, Thulani Hlatshwayo, Innocent Maela, S’Fiso Hlanti,Buhle Mkwanazi, Thamsanqa Mkhize.

The midfielders are Vincent Pule, Lebogang Maboe, Hlompho Kekana, Fortune Makaringa, Teboho Mokoena, Samuel Mabunda, Thembinkosi Lorch, Thulani Serero and the strikers are Themba Zwane, Lebo Mothiba, Dino Ndlovu, Percy Tau.

Baxter said on the team’s Twitter handle, “It has really been a tough task to select the team to face Nigeria without some of our regular players, but we have to soldier on.”

More in Bafana Bafana (South Africa)