There have been some interesting changes made in the Bafana squad ahead of their international friendly against Gabon on 15 June 2010

Will the national team be able to win this game with the absence of key players like Steven Pienaar, Katlego Mphela, Oupa Manyesa, Thanduyise Khuboni, and defender Bongani Khumalo? Win or lose, younger players will be given the opportunity to prove themselves at a national level.

Eric Mothoho, Bloemfontein Celtic defender played a good season in the PSL, with Orlando Pirates, Kaizer Chiefs, and Mamelodi Sundowns seeking to purchase him.

Players like Siyanbonga Nomvete, although he is not so young, bring a lot of confidence and experience to the team. The 34 year old received the PSL Golden Boot Award, an award that is reserved for a player who becomes the top goal scorer of the tournament.

This is someone who has years of experience and has played for Bafana Before.

Tokelo Rantie of Orlando Pirates, PSL winner, is a young player but he looks like somebody who is eager to score goals and comes with a championship mentality having won PSL.

At Orlando Pirates, he plays side by side with Bennie McCarthy, one of Bafana Bafana’s top goal scorers of all time and UEFA champion’s league winner.

The team seems to have good strikers at its helm and if the team gains morale and confidence they will have no problem scoring goals.

Players like Teko Modise of Mamelodi Sundowns, Thulani Serero of Ajax Amsterdam, and Andile Jali of Orlando Pirates are some of Mzansi’s trusted middle fielders and these players have proved themselves in their individual clubs.

 

The following is the squad that will be playing against Gabon:

GOALKEEPERS: Itumeleng Khune (Kaizer Chiefs), Wayne Sandilands (Mamelodi Sundowns), Darren Keet (KV Kortrijk FC, Belgium)

DEFENDERS: Morgan Gould (Kaizer Chiefs), Erick Mathoho (Bloemfontein Celtic), Punch Masenamela (Mamelodi Sundowns), Anele Ngcongca (Racing Genk FC, Belgium), Siboniso Gaxa (Kaizer Chiefs), Siyanda Xulu (Mamelodi Sundowns)

MIDFIELDERS: Siphiwe Tshabalala (Kaizer Chiefs), Reneilwe Letsholonyane (Kaizer Chiefs), Teko Modise (Mamelodi Sundowns), Lebohang Mokoena (Mamelodi Sundowns), Andile Jali (Orlando Pirates), May Mahlangu (Helsingborg FC, Sweden), Thulani Serero (Ajax Amsterdam, Netherlands), Mzikayise Mashaba (Free State Stars)

STRIKERS: Siyabonga Nomvete (Moroka Swallows), Tokelo Rantie (Orlando Pirates), Eleazar Rodgers (Santos), Lehlohonolo Majoro (Kaizer Chiefs)

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