Johannesburg – Bafana Bafana coach Gordon Igesund on Monday announced his 23-man squad to take part in the African Nations Championship (Chan) tournament in January.
The competition does not fall within the official Fifa calendar and is, therefore, not a Fifa-endorsed tournament, therefore, local Premier Soccer League (PSL) teams are not obliged to release players for national duty.
As a result, the PSL last week confirmed five Premiership fixtures, scheduled during the Chan tournament, would go ahead regardless of Bafana Bafana’s participation in the continental showpiece.
A compromise was reached between the SA Football Association (Safa) and the PSL regarding which players to release for the tournament, which is exclusive to players plying their trade in the domestic leagues.
South Africa were drawn to face Mozambique in the opening match of Chan, with Nigeria and Mali completing a tough group A.
The tournament gets underway on January 11, with Cape Town, Bloemfontein, and Polokwane hosting the event which runs until February 1.
Bafana Bafana squad: Goalkeepers: Itumeleng Khune, Moeneeb Josephs, Siyabonga Mpontshane. Defenders: Thabo Nthethe, Tefu Mashamaite, Buhle Mkhwanazi Kwanda Mngonyama, Tsepo Masilela, Tebogo Langerman, Vuyo Mere, Bryce Moon, Tshepo Gumede. Midfielders: Hlompho Kekana, Reneilwe Letsholonyane, Lerato Chabangu, Siphiwe Tshabalala, Sibusiso Vilakazi, Jabu Shongwe, Ryan Chapman, Lindokuhle Mbatha. Strikers: Bernard Parker, Katlego Mashego, Edward Manqele – Sapa