SA coach names Cosafa Cup squad

BAFANA coach Stuart Baxter recalled yesterday the lessons he learnt about ‘The Siege of Mafikeng’ when he named his squad for the Cosafa Cup semi-final against Zambia at Mafikeng’s Mmabatho Stadium on Saturday and the final on Sunday against either Zimbabwe or Angola – should South Africa qualify.

And while ultimately coming up with a workmanlike list of 16 players, dominated by seven members of the SuperSport United team, Baxter clearly viewed the historic Mafikeng Siege as having an affinity of sorts to the one to which he has been subjected while selecting squads in recent months. Even at this late juncture, the Bafana coach was unable to name his full complement of players, with Mamelodi Sundowns only informing Baxter after their game against Ajax Cape Town due last night who they are prepared to release for the Cosafa Cup tournament.Bafana Cosafa Cup Squad: Goalkeepers: Calvin Marlin (SuperSport United), Rowen Fernandez (Kaizer Chiefs).Defenders: Matthew Booth (Krylia, Russia), Ricardo Katza and Pa Gaxa (SuperSport United), Peter Petersen (Moroka Swallows), Bevan Fransman (Kaizer Chiefs).Midfielders: Phil Evans, Abram Raselemane and Daine Klate (SuperSport United), Thembile Kanono (Santos), Siyabonga Nkosi (Bloemfontein Celtic), Rene Richards (Kaizer Chiefs), Benedict Vilakazi (Orlando Pirates).Strikers: Siyabonga Nomvete and Lungisani Ndlela (SuperSport United).Three more players will be added to the squad from Craig Bianchi, Thabiso Rammile, Benson Mhlongo, Derrick Spencer, Lucas Thwala and Robyn Johannes.- SapaEven at this late juncture, the Bafana coach was unable to name his full complement of players, with Mamelodi Sundowns only informing Baxter after their game against Ajax Cape Town due last night who they are prepared to release for the Cosafa Cup tournament.Bafana Cosafa Cup Squad: Goalkeepers: Calvin Marlin (SuperSport United), Rowen Fernandez (Kaizer Chiefs).Defenders: Matthew Booth (Krylia, Russia), Ricardo Katza and Pa Gaxa (SuperSport United), Peter Petersen (Moroka Swallows), Bevan Fransman (Kaizer Chiefs).Midfielders: Phil Evans, Abram Raselemane and Daine Klate (SuperSport United), Thembile Kanono (Santos), Siyabonga Nkosi (Bloemfontein Celtic), Rene Richards (Kaizer Chiefs), Benedict Vilakazi (Orlando Pirates).Strikers: Siyabonga Nomvete and Lungisani Ndlela (SuperSport United).Three more players will be added to the squad from Craig Bianchi, Thabiso Rammile, Benson Mhlongo, Derrick Spencer, Lucas Thwala and Robyn Johannes.- Sapa