Baxter names Bafana squad for Chan qualifier

Bafana Bafana will travel to Botswana to play their neighbours in the first leg at the Francistown Stadium on Saturday, before hosting the Zebras at the Moruleng Stadium the following weekend.

Baxter has retained some of the players who did duty for Bafana Bafana in the Cosafa Cup, including stand-in captain Lehlogonolo Masalesa.

“But I must say upfront that we have a slight challenge with Masalesa – because he was initially contracted to an overseas club he was not considered for selection. He has since become a free agent but now he is not attached to any team, which leaves a grey area as to whether he can play for us or not. We have consulted with the authorities and we should have an answer in no time,” said Baxter.

“He spent two weeks with us for the Cosafa Cup and he can add value to the Chan team, so if he is eligible to play we will gladly keep him in the squad but if not we will have to release him. The rules are silent on that matter so we will have to wait and see, but we don’t want a situation where we take him with us, play him and then later on we forfeit the game because we used an illegible player or even get a fine.”

The winner between South Africa and Botswana will face the victors of the clash between Swaziland and Zambia in the third round scheduled for August 11 and 18.

The winner of that encounter will qualify for the Chan, which will take place in Kenya from January 11 to February 2, 2018.

The Bafana squad:

Goalkeepers: Boalefa Pule, Khulekani Kubheka, Stephen Hoffman.

Defenders: Siyabonga Nhlapho, Malebogo Modise, Sphiwe Mnguni, Junaid Sait, Sandile Mthethwa, Mothobi Mvala, Mario Booysen, Tercius Malepe.

Midfielders: Cole Alexander, Lehlohonolo Masalesa, Riyaad Norodien, Jamie Webber, Siphelele Ntshangase, Dumisani Zuma, Ricky Lourenco, Teboho Mokoena, Sipho Mbule.

Strikers: Bonginkosi Ntuli, Ryan Moon, Gift Motupa.