CAPE TOWN – Thabo Nodada has
been rewarded for his outstanding displays for Cape
Town City with a
call-up to the Bafana Bafana squad for the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against
Seychelles.
Coach Stuart Baxter announced a 21-man squad on Monday, and
Nodada made the cut after a top display for City to the MTN8 title with a penalty
shoot-out win over SuperSport United at the weekend.
The hard-working midfielder also scored the final, winning
penalty for the Citizens at the Moses Mabhida Stadium.
SuperSport United striker Bradley Grobler and Mamelodi
Sundowns midfielder Themba Zwane have been ruled out due to injury.
Their absence sees Wits speedster Phakamani Mahlambi and
Nodada getting opportunities against Seychelles,
with the match scheduled for Saturday, October 13 at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg (3pm).
The return game will take place on Tuesday, October 16 in Seychelles (2.30pm SA time).
Thapelo Morena from Mamelodi Sundowns has also received a
call-up, while there is another familiar face upfront in Dino Ndlovu, who now
plays his club football in China.
Overseas-based players Keegan Dolly and Bongani Zulu are also unavailable due to injury.
Baxter will hope that his team can emerge victorious
following their 0-0 stalemate with Libya in their last match.
Bafana Bafana Squad
Goalkeepers: Itumeleng Khune (Kaizer Chiefs), Ronwen Williams (SuperSport United), Darren Keet (Wits).
Defenders:
Ramahlwe Mphahlele (Chiefs), Motjeka Madisha, Thapelo Morena (both Sundowns), Siyanda Xulu (Maritzburg United), Thulani Hlatshwayo (captain), Buhle Mkwanazi, S’fiso Hlanti (all Wits), Innocent Maela (Orlando Pirates).
Midfielders: Dean Furman, Teboho Mokoena (both SuperSport), Lebogang Maboe, Hlompho Kekana, Sibusiso Vilakazi (all Sundowns), Thabo Nodada (Cape Town City), Kamohelo Mokotjo (Brentford City), Vincent Pule (Pirates).
Strikers:
Lebogang Phiri (Guingamp, France), Dino Ndlovu (Hangzhou, China), Percy Tau (Royal Union, Belgium), Lebo Mothiba (Racing Strasbourg, France), Phakamani Mahlambi (Sundowns).
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