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| Stuart Baxter names his first squad since taking over Bafana for a second time in his managerial career. |
On Thursday, new Bafana Bafana boss, Stuart Baxter, named his first squad since taking over South Africa for a second time in his managerial career.
What’s different to the side that we last saw, is that we see the return of a few Orlando Pirates players. Abbubaker Mobara and Thamsanqa Gabuza were both called up to the Bafana camp who will leave for Nigeria on the 7th of June.
We also saw the return of Bongani “Ben 10” Zungu, as well as a first call-up for Cape Town City star, Aubrey Ngoma. But just who did Baxter forget about when naming his squad of 25?
The selection of Gabuza has raised many eyebrows, with the likes of Dino Ndlovu – who has thrived in Azerbaijan – and Eleazar Rodgers being snubbed by the also SuperSport United boss.
Staying in attack, Daine Klate, who is the record holder for winning the most ABSA Premiership titles (6), was also given the cold shoulder by Baxter, despite having one of his best season to date. Klate is the perfect example of a winner, and that might prove to be Baxter’s first mistake.
Nonetheless, we will always be critical of any team chosen by Bafana. Baxter stated that there will be an element of development, although there won’t be room for babies in Nigeria, but development will be useful.
Probably explains the omission of Luther Singh and Phakamani Mahlambi. But their absentees shows that Bafana’s squad depth has improved massively.
And no matter what’s said, let’s stand together and wish our boys all the best in Nigeria!
Full Bafana Bafana squad:
Goalkeepers: Khune, Williams, Keet
Defenders: Mphahlele, Coetzee, Hlatshwayo, Mathoho, Gordinho, Mobara, Langerman, Hlanti
Midfielders: Kekana, Dolly, Jali, Mokotjo, Furman, T. Zwane, Zungu, Ngoma
Forwards: Vilakazi, Tau, Manyama, Rantie, Gabuza, Erasmus
My Starting XI from current squad:
Khune; Mphahlele, Hlatshwayo, Gordinho, Langerman; Mokotjo, Zungu, Manyama; Dolly, Ngoma, Erasmus.