Dip deep into the Bafana talent pool - Da Gama
Bafana Bafana interim coach Owen da Gama believes that SAFA should make every effort to cast their net as wide as possible for every single national team assignment and dip as deep as possible into the talent pool.
The club vs country debate has often reared its ugly head, with certain
players putting overseas club commitments
above that of their country. Da Gama believes
moving forward, no matter who the incumbent coach may be, they have to be able
to source the 'broadest and the best' for selection.
Da Gama has been confirmed as the coach of the squad for two upcoming international friendlies against Guinea-Bissau on 25 March in Durban and neighbouring Angola on 28 March, irrespective of whether a new head coach is appointed to succeed Shakes Mashaba.
Da Gama has managed to cast the net wide, as the two matches are both scheduled on FIFA International dates.
"We have been following players all over the world and this has precipitated us to move in the direction we have in terms of team selection," says Da Gama.
"I believe that we have an abundance of talent in this country and players playing abroad and we have to tap into that pool as best as possible," he adds.
Da Gama made it clear that he believes strongly in an all-inclusive approach to selection and that it is not the sole domain of the coach.
"I have always believed in a think tank. I don't run a show on my own. There has been a lot of consultation. There has been a long thought process put into the selection of this squad and I believe it is the right way of doing things and moving forward."
The latest squad has been moulded around the nucleus of the players who did duty against Senegal in November last year, but there have also been some adventurous additions by Da Gama and Co.
There are recalls for Kamohelo Mokotjo (FC Twente) and Kermitt Erasmus (Lens), with three uncapped players also named -- SA Under-20 internationals Luther Singh and Phakamani Mahlambi as well as Lorenzo Gordinho of Kaizer Chiefs.
In form Cape Town City striker Lebohang Manyama is also back in the mix after being surprisingly absent during Mashaba's rein.
Mahlambi and Singh are key players in the South African u20 Men’s National Team (Amajita). They have been rewarded for their great performances for both club and country. The duo were instrumental in helping Amajita qualify for the 2017 FIFA u20 World Cup that will be played in South Korea in May.
South Africa and Guinea-Bissau (80th on the FIFA rankings) have never met before, but Bafana Bafana have played 12 times against Angola.
Bafana Bafana (ranked 62nd) has won eight of those encounters, drawn three and lost just once against Palacas Negras (Angola).
(Video by Trevor Cramer)
Full 25-man squad:
Goalkeepers:
Itumeleng Khune (Kaizer Chiefs), Darren Keet (Bidvest Wits), Shuaib Walters (Cape Town City)
Defenders:
Ramahlwe Mphahlele (Kaizer Chiefs), Rivaldo Coetzee (Ajax Cape Town), Thulani Hlatshwayo (Bidvest Wits), Lorenzo Gordinho (Kaizer Chiefs), Diamond Thopola (Chippa United), Tebogo Langerman (Mamelodi Sundowns)
Midfielders:
Hlompho Kekana (Mamelodi Sundowns), Thabo Mnyamane (SuperSport United), Keagan Dolly (Montpellier, France), Andile Jali (KV Oostende, Belgium), Kamohelo Mokotjo (FC Twente, Netherlands), Tiyani Mabunda (Mamelodi Sundowns), Dean Furman (SuperSport United), Themba Zwane (Mamelodi Sundowns), Thulani Serero (Ajax Amsterdam, Netherlands)
Forwards:
Percy Tau (Mamelodi Sundowns), Lebogang Manyama (Cape Town City), Phakamani Mahlambi (Bidvest Wits), Lars Veldwijk (KV Kortrijk, Belgium), Kermit Erasmus RC Lens, France), Luther Singh (Sporting Braga, Portugal).