South Africa head coach Molefi Ntseki has named a squad of 25 players to face Ghana in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers scheduled for next month.

Bafana Bafana kick-start the journey to the African football’s premier showpiece with an away match against Ghana on Thursday, 14 November 2019 in Accra.

The same squad will face Sudan three days later (Sunday, 17 November) at the Orlando Stadium.

Ntseki has selected the bulk of the team that defeated Mali 2-1 in the 2019 Nelson Mandela Challenge played in Port Elizabeth earlier this month – that was his first assignment as the head coach of Bafana Bafana.

He has brought back defenders Thami Mkhize (Cape Town City) and Sifiso Hlanti (Bidvest Wits), – the duo missed the last match due to injuries.

In midfield, Bongani Zungu makes a return after he was withdrawn from the past training camp, also due to an injury.

Also being recalled after a long absence is midfielder Aubrey Modiba (Supersport United), who takes the place of the injured Keagan Dolly.

This will be the Bafana Bafana’s 12th meeting against the Black Stars. They have beaten the West Africans five times and lost on three occasions, with three matches drawn.

The first encounter was back in 1994 in the Four Nations Cup which Bafana Bafana won 2-1. The last encounter was in 2016, which ended in a 1-1 draw in Durban – it was an international friendly match.

Bafana Bafana assemble for camp on Sunday, 10 November and depart for Ghana the next day – Monday, 11 November.

They return to South Africa on Friday, 15 November to prepare for the Sudan fixture.

Below is the list:

GOALKEEPERS: 

Darren Keet (Leuven FC, Belgium), Ronwen Williams (Supersport United), Ricardo Goss (Bidvest Wits)

DEFENDERS: 

Erick Mathoho (Kaizer Chiefs), S'fiso Hlanti, Buhle Mkhwanazi, Thulani Hlatshwayo (Bidvest Wits), Thapelo Morena, Mosa Lebusa (Mamelodi Sundowns), Innocent Maela (Orlando Pirates), Thamsanqa Mkhize (Cape Town City).

MIDFIELDERS: 

Kamohelo Mokotjo (Brentford FC, England), Bongani Zungu (SC Amiens, France), Thato Mokeke (Cape Town City), Dean Furman, Aubrey Modiba (Supersport United), Lebo Phiri (EA Guingamp, France), Mothobi Mvala (Highlands Park), Themba Zwane (Mamelodi Sundowns), Thembinkosi Lorch (Orlando Pirates), Percy Tau, (Club Brugge, Belgium), Thulani Serero (Al Jazira, UAE)

STRIKERS: 

Lebo Mothiba (Racing Strasbourg, France), Bradley Grobler (Supersport United), Kermit Erasmus (Cape Town City)

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