It looked no more imposing than a Bafana Bafana B squad - and in some instances not even measuring up to this category - when coach Stuart Baxter on Thursday named 19 players to travel to the United States next week for the Concacaf Gold Cup tournament.
A late lifeline of sorts for the South African squad, deprived of almost all the top players, was provided by Orlando Pirates, with The Buccaneers management relenting to release stars like Benedict Vilakazi, Gift Leremi and Lebohang Mokoena for the opening Gold Cup game against the powerful Mexicans - before recalling them to South Africa for the Vodacom Challenge tournament.
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Other PSL glamour clubs Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns were less accommodating and stuck steadfastly to their resolve not to release first-choice players because they were needed for the unofficial Vodacom Challenge and Peace Cup tournaments.
And there was almost a blanket-like embargo from European clubs on Bafana's overseas-based stars like Hans Vonk, Aaron Mokeona, Nasief Morris, Steven Pienaar, Delron Buckley, Benni McCarthy and Shaun Bartlett going to the United States.
| 'We have to make the best of the situation' |
"We have to make the best of the situation," said a diplomatic, but understandably distressed Baxter. "It is a pity we could not have approached the Gold Cup with better planning, but we must now strive to get whatever we can out of the event as far as results are concerned - and in unearthing talent for the future."
It was suggested the South African Football Association (Safa) might have put pressure on clubs like Chiefs and Sundowns to release players, but CEO Raymond Hack said it was not in the long term advisable to precipitate a confrontational environment.
A surprise inclusion in the squad, which Baxter said would be bolstered by four additional selections before Sunday's departure for the United States, was former Bafana regular defender, Pierre Issa.
Currently linked with Greek club Ionikos, Issa has been in the Bafana wilderness for the best part of four years - and Baxter probably views the Gold Cup as an opportunity to place him under the microscope.
In players like goalkeeper Calvin Marlin, Vilakazi, Siyabonga Nomvete and Mokoena, the Bafana coach will be hoping to compile a squad that will at least not be disgraced against Mexico. But it will be a tall order against the sixth-best rated team in the world - and with the Pirates stars departing afterwards, the rest of the programme will be anything but a cakewalk.
Bafana:
Goalkeepers: Calvin Marlin (SuperSport United), Wayne Roberts (Wits University), Lee-Raoul Langeveldt (FC Fortune).
Defenders: Lucky Lekgwathi (Orlando Pirates), Craig Bianchi (Mamelodi Sundowns), Ricardo Katza (SuperSport United), Pa Gaxa (SuperSport United), Lucas Thwala (Orlando Pirates), Pierre Issa (Ionikos).
Midfielders: Benedict Vilakazi (Orlando Pirates), Siyabonga Siphike (Manning Rangers), Reagan Noble (Mamelodi Sundowns), Gift Leremi (Orlando Pirates), Bongani Nkosi (Bloemfontein Celtic), Hleza Mafedi (Orlando Pirates). Abram Raselemane (SuperSport United).
Strikers: Siyabonga Nomvete (Empoli), Lebohang Mokoena (Orlando Pirates), Lungisani Ndlela (SuperSport United). - Sapa
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