Football
KweséESPN Reporter 7y

Baxter names first South Africa squad

South Africa head coach Stuart Baxter has named his first 25-man squad to face Nigeria in the opening match of the 2019 African Nations Cup qualifiers.

Baxter has returned to the Bafana Bafana hotseat for a second spell and starts his new tenure with a clash against the Super Eagles on Saturday, 10 June at Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo State, Nigeria.

The Brit has kept a good number of players that did duty against Guinea-Bissau and Angola in back-to-back friendly internationals in March.

Goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, midfielder Bongani Zungu and striker Tokelo Rantie make a return to the national team, while winger Aubrey Ngoma of Cape Town City has also been called up.

"I am quite pleased with the squad we have assembled. We have a small element of development with a couple of young players. We also have some players who are returning to the squad, the likes of Zungu and Rantie," said Baxter.

"We have players who have been outstanding in the PSL the whole season, we also have continuity with a number of players that SAFA has invested much time in and we have them in the team. I believe we have a good mix.

"We have also looked at aerial strength and tried to spread that well throughout the team. It means if we can have good preparation before we go, then we have a squad that is capable of giving Nigeria a good game."

South Africa have met Nigeria 12 times, with the West Africans emerging victorious on seven occasions and four matches drawn.

Bafana Bafana's only win against the Super Eagles came under the reign of Baxter - an international friendly match in 2004 played at Ellis Park when Shaun Bartlett and Benedict Vilakazi scored the goals.

"When you look at Nigeria it's like the who's who of African football as most of their players play across the top leagues of the world. That doesn't always mean it's a good team but Nigeria has had a run of games that suggests that they are finding their feet," added Baxter.

"We will play them having spent a three-week training camp in France but we will monitor their games. They will be playing against Togo and Corsica, and I will have a bit of intelligence on them, but I have already gathered some even before these matches."

South Africa squad:

Goalkeepers:

Itumeleng Khune (Kaizer Chiefs), Ronwen Williams (SuperSport United), Darren Keet (Bidvest Wits)

Defenders:

Ramahlwe Mphahlele (Kaizer Chiefs), Rivaldo Coetzee (Ajax Cape Town), Thulani Hlatshwayo (Bidvest Wits), Erick Mathoho (Kaizer Chiefs), Lorenzo Gordinho (Kaizer Chiefs), Abbubakker Mobara (Orlando Pirates), Tebogo Langerman (Mamelodi Sundowns), Sifiso Hlanti (Bidvest Wits)

Midfielders:

Hlompho Kekana (Mamelodi Sundowns), Keagan Dolly (Montpellier), Andile Jali (KV Oostende), Kamohelo Mokotjo (FC Twente), Dean Furman (SuperSport United), Themba Zwane (Mamelodi Sundowns), Bongani Zungu (Vitoria Guimares), Aubrey Ngoma (Cape Town City)

Strikers:

Sibusiso Vilakazi (Mamelodi Sundowns), Percy Tau (Mamelodi Sundowns), Lebogang Manyama (Cape Town City), Tokelo Rantie (Genclerbirligi), Thamsanqa Gabuza (Orlando Pirates), Kermit Erasmus (Lens)

^ Back to Top ^