DURBAN – The eligibility of midfielder Kamohelo Mokotjo to return to the Bafana Bafana fold appears to be a simple administrative issue.
The Netherlands-based player is in camp with the national squad in Durban, preparing for this weekend’s friendly against Guinea-Bissau.
All going well he should once again tog up for South Africa, after SAFA gave the impression that it was a formality that would be cleared with government’s intervention.
“The reason why the association called Kamohelo into this camp is because he indicated that he wants to play for the country. The other logistics we will attend to it later on,” said Bafana Bafana team manager Barney Kujane.
The FC Twente player had fallen out with previous Bafana coach Ephraim Mashaba, after he questioned his lack of game time whenever he had been called up. He subsequently reportedly retired from international football and late last year acquired Dutch citizenship.
However Kujane said the matter was being addressed by the national association and government. “We have invited him to camp and his matter of citizenship, and regarding playing for Bafana Bafana, is being handled by the association and the South African government. And immediately this matter comes to its logical conclusion we will inform the public.”
France-based midfielder Keagan Dolly was the only player yet to arrive in Durban. He was set to travel on Sunday and expected to reach camp on Monday.
Saturday’s first meeting with Guinea-Bissau will be played at Moses Mabhida Stadium at 3pm. This friendly will be followed by another, against Angola in East London on Tuesday at 7pm.
Tickets for both matches are on sale at R60 all round at Computicket, Checkers as well as Shoprite Checkers outlets.
Bafana Bafana squad for Guinea-Bissau and Angola:
Itumeleng Khune (Kaizer Chiefs), Darren Keet (Bidvest Wits), Shuaib Walters (Cape Town City), Ramahlwe Mphahlele (Kaizer Chiefs), Rivaldo Coetzee (Ajax Cape Town), Thulani Hlatshwayo (Bidvest Wits), Erick Mathoho (Kaizer Chiefs), Lorenzo Gordinho (Kaizer Chiefs), Diamond Thopola (Chippa United), Tebogo Langerman (Mamelodi Sundowns), Hlompho Kekana (Mamelodi Sundowns), Thabo Mnyamane (Supersport United), Keagan Dolly (Montpellier, France), Andle 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, Holland), Percy Tau (Mamelodi Sundowns), Lebohang Manyama (Cape Town City), Phakamani Mahlambi (Bidvest Wits), Lars Veldwijk (KV Kortrijk, Belgium), Kermit Erasmus (Lens, France), Luther Singh (Sporting Braga, Portugal).