JOHANNESBURG - Owen da Gama revealed on Thursday morning that he will continue as interim Bafana Bafana coach for now and will be in charge of the two friendly matches against Guinea-Bissau in Durban and Angola at a venue still to be confirmed.
Da Gama has been axed mentor Shakes Mashaba’s assistant since July 2014 and named a strong 25-man squad at the Safa headquarters in Nasrec on Thursday morning.
He was given the responsibility following the delay in the appointment of Mashaba’s replacement.
“I was told by the CEO (Dennis Mumble) that I will carry on and be in charge of the two matches, unless I get a heart attack,” said Da Gama. “Irrespective of a new coach coming in, I was given guarantees that I will take over the team.”
The association has missed it’s own set deadline to name a successor to Mashaba, having said the new man will be announced at the end of February only to keep stretching the goal posts. Da Gama said he had plenty input in picking the 25-man squad that will face Guinea-Bissau on March 25 and Angola three days later.
“I asked the technical director (Neil Tovey) to get involved, although he was reluctant, but I told him I needed his opinion.”
Bafana squad:
Goalkeepers:
Itumeleng Khune, Shu-Aib Walters, Darren Keet
Defenders:
Ramahlwe Mphahlele, Rivaldo Coetzee, Thulani Hlatshwayo, Mulomowandau Mathoho, Lorenzo Gordinho, Diamond Thopola, Tebogo Langerman
Midfielders:
Hlompho Kekana, Thabo Mnyamane, Keagan Dolly, Andile Jali, Kamohelo Mokotjo, Tiyani Mabunda, Dean Furman, Themba Zwane
Strikers:
Thulani Serero, Percy Tau, Lebogang Manyama, Phakamani Mahlambi, Lars Veldwijk, Kermit Erasmus, Luther Singh
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