Johannesburg - Bafana Bafana head Coach Ephraim 'Shakes' Mashaba on Monday named a 20-man squad to represent South Africa at the 2016 Edition of the COSAFA (Council of Southern Africa Football Associations) Cup in Windhoek, Namibia. The team will participate in the COSAFA Castle Cup from the quarter-final stage against group B winners on 18 June.
The tournament runs from 11-25 June 2016 and all matches will be played at Sam Nujoma and Independence Stadium. “After long deliberations with the other coaches regarding the COSAFA Cup, we came to the conclusion that we must use this tournament to build our future teams,” said Mashaba.
“Many a time we as national team coaches always talk about how little time we have with the players ahead of a big game and how we didn't have enough time to prepare but now we have ample time to do that.
“The 2016 squad for the COSAFA Cup is mainly made up of Under-23 players and we are using the tournament as part of the preparations for the upcoming 2016 Rio Olympics,” added Mashaba.
Bafana Bafana COSAFA squad
Goalkeepers
Jody February, Reyaad Pieterse, Nkosingiphile Gumede
Defenders
Rivaldo Coetzee, Repo Malepe, Themba Sikhakhane, Tebogo Moerane, Kwanda Mngonyama, Siphesihle Stuurman
Midfielders
Tshepo Rikhotso, Abbubaker Mobara, Gift Motupa, Lebogang Phiri, Deolin Mekoa, Phumlani Ntshangase
Strikers
Maphosa Modiba, Keagan Dolly, Thabiso Kutumela, Lebo Mothiba, Judas Moseamedi
African News Agency