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South Africa will play two international matches in preparation for their Afcon qualification campaign, which will resume later this year.
Bafana Bafana coach Molefi Ntseki has announced a 25-man squad that will face Namibia and Zambia in back-to-back international friendly matches next week.
There are a few surprise inclusions in Bafana’s latest squad with Ricardo Goss, Gladwin Shitolo, Thibang Phete, and Kurt Abrahams, all getting the nod.
Maritzburg United striker Thabiso Kutumela has already passed SuperSport United midfielder Sipho Mbule and newly signed Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Mothobi Mvala.
Returning to the Bafana setup is Cape Town defender Abbubaker Mobara, who lost his place on the team during his frustrating spell with the Orlando Pirates.
The inclusion of the aforementioned players is seen as an attempt by Ntseki to expand the pool of players to select in the future.
However, the exclusion of Bonginkosi Ntuli from AmaZulu has raised some eyebrows, especially after the season he had, where he scored 13 league goals for the Durban side.
This is because the 51-year-old mentor chose not to recruit the likes of Itumeleng Khune and Hlompho Kekana, who are nearing the twilight of their careers.
His teammate Kermit Erasmus has also been included in the last team, as well as Lebogang Manyama from Kaizer Chiefs.
Ntseki also called in some of his trusted foreign players, such as Percy Tau, Darren Keet and Keagan Dolly.
Luther Singh has also had the opportunity to consolidate his place in the team following his return to the national team configuration.
According to the South African Football Association (Safa), Bafana Bafana will face Namibia on October 8 before facing Chipolopolo on October 11.
Both games will be played at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg.
Bafana Bafana Squad in full:
Goalkeepers: Darren Keet (Oud-Haverlee Leuven FC (Belgium), Ronwen Williams (Supersport United), Ricardo Goss (Mamelodi Sundowns).
Defenders: Thibang Phete (OS Belenenses SAD, Portugal), Motjeka Madisha (Mamelodi Sundowns), Thulani Hlatshwayo (Orlando Pirates), S’fiso Hlanti, Innocent Maela (Orlando Pirates), Mosa Lebusa (Mamelodi Sundowns), Abubaker Mobara (Cape Town) , Reeve Frosler (Kaizer Heads).
Midfielders: Andile Jali, Mothobi Mvala, Themba Zwane (all sunsets), Thabo Nodada (Cape Town), Teboho Mokoena (SuperSport), Gladwin Shitolo (Golden Arrows), Keagan Dolly (Montpellier), Percy Tau (Anderlecht, Belgium), Thabiso Kutumela (Maritzburg), Sipho Mbule (Supersport), Luther Singh (Braga FC).
Strikers: Kermit Erasmus (Cape Town), Kurt Abrahams (KVC Westerlo, Belgium), Lebohang Manyama (Kaizer Chiefs).
