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South African national team coach Molefi Ntseki has brought back Kaizer Chiefs Itumeleng Khune goalkeeper Bongani Zungu and forward Bradley Grobler for consecutive November African Cup of Nations (Afcon) Group C qualifiers against Sao Tome and Principe.
The bafana will host the islanders at the FNB stadium on November 13, before traveling to São Tomé for the return match three days later.
Khune leads the returnees in Ntseki’s 25-man squad, as the goalkeeper who last played for the national team was in November 2018 in a 2019 Afcon qualifier against Nigeria.
The Chiefs captain had been called up for the same games against São Tomé in March of this year before the games were postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
But after being barred from last month’s international friendly matches against Namibia and Zambia, Khune did not appear to be in Ntseki’s plans.
Rangers midfielder Zungu is also back after being overlooked by Ntseki in recent Bafana games, with the player publicly expressing his frustration at being ignored.
Also returning to the South African squad is SuperSport United striker Bradley Grobler, who was omitted from friendlies in Namibia and Zambia but convinced Ntseki with a double on the first weekend of the Premier Soccer League season.
Dean Furman, who is now with Carlisle United of English League Two, is also back, along with American Kamohelo Mokotjo.
Mamelodi Sundowns utility player Lyle Lakay has also been included.
Ntseki has kept faith in the bulk of the players he used in the 1-1 draw against Namibia and the 2-1 loss to Zambia.
South Africa ranks second in Group C and is eager to oust Ghana from the top in bidding for the next edition of Afcon to be hosted by Cameroon.
Sudan is third in this group, while São Tomé anchors the ranking.
Bafana Bafana Squad
Goalkeepers: Itumeleng Khune (Kaizer Chiefs), Ronwen Williams (SuperSport United), Darren Keet (Oud-Haverlee Leuven) Defenders: Thibang Phete (OS Belenenses SAD (Portugal), Motjeka Madisha, Lyle Lakay (both Mamelodi Sundowns), Thulani Hlatshwayo (Orlando Pirates) ), Innocent Maela (Orlando Pirates), Abubaker Mobara (Cape Town), Reeve Frosler (Kaizer Chiefs), Rushine De Reuck (Maritzburg United)
Midfielders: Andile Jali (Mamelodi Sundowns), Themba Zwane (Mamelodi Sundowns), Teboho Mokoena (Supersport United), Keagan Dolly (Montpellier, France), Percy Tau (RSC Anderlecht, Belgium), Luther Singh (Braga FC, Portugal), Thulani Serero ( Al Jazira, United Arab Emirates), Bongani Zungu (Rangers FC, Scotland), Lebogang Manyama (Kaizer Chiefs), Kamohelo Mokotjo (FC Cincinnati, USA), Dean Furman (Carlisle United, England)
Forward: Thabiso Kutumela (Maritzburg United), Bradley Grobler (SuperSport United), Kermit Erasmus (Mamelodi Sundowns)
