Bafana squad named for Afcon qualifier

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

The clash takes place on June 10 at Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo State, Nigeria. Kick-off is at 5pm.

Baxter has kept a good number of players who did duty against Guinea-Bissau and Angola in back-to-back friendly international matches in March.

Goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, Bongani Zungu and Tokelo Rantie make a welcome return to the national team.

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.

“We have players who have been outstanding in the PSL the whole season. We also have continuity with a number of players who Safa has invested much time in and we have them in the team. I believe we have a good mix,” said Baxter.

“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,” said Baxter.

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

Bafana Bafana’s only win against the Super Eagles came under the reign of Baxter. It was an international friendly match in 2004 played at Ellis Park. 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.

“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,” added Baxter.

Their next Afcon fixture will be away to Libya in March next year.

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