Soccer News of Friday, 19 December 2014

Source: goal.com

Ghana opponents S/A reveal provisional squad

South Africa coach Shakes Mashaba has named a provisional 34-man squad for the Africa Cup of Nations 2015 in Equatorial Guinea.

Mashaba picked four goalkeepers, 10 defenders, 15 midfielders and five strikers. The squad will be trimmed to 23 on December 30. The Bafana Bafana will go into a mini-training camp in Johannesburg from December 26-30.

“The bulk of the boys in the squad are the ones who helped Bafana Bafana to be where it is now and we didn’t want to change much going into AFCON. The bloated squad means we want to give everyone a chance as we don’t have guaranteed places in the team; it is an opportunity for all of them to fight hard for the final spot,” said Mashaba on the official website of SAFA.

“And for those not on the list, we can’t say for sure they are completely out as they also stand a good chance of making it. As you can see most of those on the list have been with us for the last three months or so.”

South Africa are in the same group with Ghana, Algeria and Senegal.

South Africa's provisional Afcon squad:

Goalkeepers: Darren Keet (KV Kortrijk), Brilliant Khuzwayo, (Kaizer Chiefs), Jackson Mabokgwane (Mpumalanga Black Aces), Siyabonga Mpontshane (Platinum Stars).

Defenders: Anele Ngcongca (Racing Genk), Eric Mathoho (Kaizer Chiefs), Patrick Phungwayo, Thabo Matlaba (Orlando Pirates), Thulani Hlatshwayo, Siyabonga Nhlapho (both Bidvest Wits), Kwanda Mngonyama (Maritzburg United), Mzikayise Mashaba (Mamelodi Sundowns), Rivaldo Coetzee (Ajax Cape Town), Ntsikelelo Nyauza (Orlando Pirates).

Midfielders: Andile Jali (KV Oostende), Asavela Mbekile, Bongani Zungu (both Mamelodi Sundowns), Dean Furman (Doncaster Rovers), Oupa Manyisa (Orlando Pirates), Mandla Masango (Kaizer Chiefs), Thulani Serero (Ajax Amsterdam), Sibusiso Vilakazi (Bidvest Wits), Thuso Phala (SuperSport United), Reneilwe Letsholonyane (Kaizer Chiefs), Jabulani Shongwe (Bidvest Wits), Themba Zwane (both Mamelodi Sundowns), Mondli Cele (Maritzburg United), Thamsanqa Sangweni (Chippa United), Vuyisile Wana (Moroka Swallows).

Strikers: Ayanda Patosi (KSC Lokeren), Bongani Ndulula (AmaZulu), Bernard Parker (Kaizer Chiefs), David Zulu (Chippa United), Tokelo Rantie (AFC Bournemouth).