Former SuperSport United striker Dino Ndlovu has made a return to the Bafana Bafana squad for the back-to-back 2018 World Cup qualifiers against Angola next month, with the first match set to be played in Benguela on November 13.Ndlovu last played for the national team when Gordon Igesund was coach of the national team but has now returned after making an impressive start to life in Cyprus, where he’s scored seven goals in eight matches for Anorthosis Famagusta.
Ndlovu, who was named the player of the month for August and September in Cyprus, has four Bafana caps and is yet to find the back of the net. He last played when Bafana were hammered 5-0 by Brazil last year, coming on as a substitute.
“We look at the stats of the player. He has played games and he has scored seven goals. He deserves to be given a chance as well. Let’s see what he can do,” Mashaba said yesterday after naming his 25-man squad for the clashes against the Palancas Negras.
The left-back position has been a big problem for Bafana and now Mashaba has selected Mpumalanga Black Aces fullback Lehlohonolo Nonyane, who has been in good form for his club.
Mashaba has called up the likes of Patrick Phungwayo, Luvolwethu Mpeta, Siyabonga Zulu, Thabo Matlaba, Mzikayise Mashaba and Mosa Lebusa at left-back and he’s hoping Nonyane’s selection will provide less of a headache in that position.
“Nonyane is not new. We had him in the team before and we have been monitoring him. The biggest problem at left-back is that we are usually found wanting. We are trying to groom others in so that we get used to the position,” said Mashaba.
Dutch-based midfielder Kamohelo Mokotjo has been given another opportunity to impress Mashaba, so too George Lebese and Mpho Makola of Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates respectively.
Jabulani Shongwe, Ayanda Patosi and Lebusa, all part of the team that was in Central America recently, have been left out.
Mashaba expects his players to rise to the occasion against Angola or face getting knocked out of the qualifiers early on.
“Fortunately we have played against them, which is a good thing. But it’s not a given that we are going to win. We still have to sit down, look at their latest videos and see how they play. They will rely mainly on their foreign-based players, not the players who played in the Chan qualifiers recently.
“It will be important to go there and get a goal or two and come back home with that confidence. We have to go out there and fight.”
The second leg, set to be played at Moses Mabhida Stadium, will be played on November 17.
BAFANA SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Itumeleng Khune, Jackson Mabokgwane, Ronwen Williams
Defenders: Siyabonga Nhlapo, Lehlohonolo Nonyane, Anele Ngcongca, Thabo Matlaba, Clayton Daniels, Mulomowandau Mathoho, Rivaldo Coetzee, Thulani Hlatshwayo
Midfielders: Andile Jali, Kamohelo Mokotjo, Phumlani Ntshangase, Bongani Zungu, George Lebese, Dean Furman, Mpho Makola, Mandla Masango, Themba Zwane
Strikers: Thamsanqa Gabuza, Thulani Serero, Sibusiso Vilakazi, Tokelo Rantie, Dino Ndlovu
Red-hot Ndlovu returns
Ndlovu last played for the national team when Gordon Igesund was coach of the national team but has now returned after making an impressive start to life in Cyprus, where he’s scored seven goals in eight matches for Anorthosis Famagusta.
Ndlovu, who was named the player of the month for August and September in Cyprus, has four Bafana caps and is yet to find the back of the net. He last played when Bafana were hammered 5-0 by Brazil last year, coming on as a substitute.
“We look at the stats of the player. He has played games and he has scored seven goals. He deserves to be given a chance as well. Let’s see what he can do,” Mashaba said yesterday after naming his 25-man squad for the clashes against the Palancas Negras.
The left-back position has been a big problem for Bafana and now Mashaba has selected Mpumalanga Black Aces fullback Lehlohonolo Nonyane, who has been in good form for his club.
Mashaba has called up the likes of Patrick Phungwayo, Luvolwethu Mpeta, Siyabonga Zulu, Thabo Matlaba, Mzikayise Mashaba and Mosa Lebusa at left-back and he’s hoping Nonyane’s selection will provide less of a headache in that position.
“Nonyane is not new. We had him in the team before and we have been monitoring him. The biggest problem at left-back is that we are usually found wanting. We are trying to groom others in so that we get used to the position,” said Mashaba.
Dutch-based midfielder Kamohelo Mokotjo has been given another opportunity to impress Mashaba, so too George Lebese and Mpho Makola of Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates respectively.
Jabulani Shongwe, Ayanda Patosi and Lebusa, all part of the team that was in Central America recently, have been left out.
Mashaba expects his players to rise to the occasion against Angola or face getting knocked out of the qualifiers early on.
“Fortunately we have played against them, which is a good thing. But it’s not a given that we are going to win. We still have to sit down, look at their latest videos and see how they play. They will rely mainly on their foreign-based players, not the players who played in the Chan qualifiers recently.
“It will be important to go there and get a goal or two and come back home with that confidence. We have to go out there and fight.”
The second leg, set to be played at Moses Mabhida Stadium, will be played on November 17.
BAFANA SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Itumeleng Khune, Jackson Mabokgwane, Ronwen Williams
Defenders: Siyabonga Nhlapo, Lehlohonolo Nonyane, Anele Ngcongca, Thabo Matlaba, Clayton Daniels, Mulomowandau Mathoho, Rivaldo Coetzee, Thulani Hlatshwayo
Midfielders: Andile Jali, Kamohelo Mokotjo, Phumlani Ntshangase, Bongani Zungu, George Lebese, Dean Furman, Mpho Makola, Mandla Masango, Themba Zwane
Strikers: Thamsanqa Gabuza, Thulani Serero, Sibusiso Vilakazi, Tokelo Rantie, Dino Ndlovu
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