Sport Reporter

JOHANNESBURG- BAFANA Bafana head coach Ephraim Mashaba has named a 23-man squad that will play Gambia in the penultimate Orange Africa Cup of Nations Gabon 2017 qualifiers.

The two nations will lock horns on June 4 at the Independence Stadium in Bakau, Gambia.

Kickoff is at 17h00 local time (19h00 SA Time).

The first match between South Africa and Gambia ended in a goalless draw in Durban (13 June 2015).

Bafana Bafana currently lie third on the table with three points after four matches. Cameroon leads the pack on 8 points, one more than second-placed Mauritania while Gambia has two points.

“The truth of the matter is we are in a difficult situation, but we have to keep our hopes alive. We have said before that the first two matches (against Gambia and Mauritania) took us off track. Had we done well in those matches, we would be talking a different story today. But we must soldier on and get the remaining six points, then wait and see,” said Mashaba.

Bafana Bafana will start camp on Sunday and depart next Tuesday.
BAFANA BAFANA SQUAD LIST – 2017 AFCON QUALIFIERS vs GAMBIA

GOALKEEPERS:

1. Itumeleng KHUNE                              Kaizer Chiefs FC (SA)

2. Jackson MABOKGWANE                  Mpumalanga Aces FC (SA)

3. Brighton MHLONGO                         Orlando Pirates FC (SA)

DEFENDERS:

4. Ramahlwe MPHAHLELE                   Mamelodi Sundows FC (SA)

5. Diamond THOPULA                           Chippa United FC (SA)

6. Thabo MATLABA                               Orlando Pirates FC (SA)

7. Erick MATHOHO                                Kaizer Chiefs FC (SA)

8. Sifiso HLANTI                                     Bidvest Wits FC (SA)

9. Rivaldo COETZEE                              Ajax Cape Town FC (SA)

10. Teboho LANGERMAN                     Mamelodi Sundowns FC (FC)

MIDFIELDERS:

11. Andile JALI                                         KV Oostende FC (Belgium)

12. Thulani SERERO                                Ajax Amsterdam FC (Nederland)

13. Thapelo MORENA                              Bloemfontein Celtic FC (SA)

14. Mpho MAKOLA                                 Orlando Pirates FC (SA)

15. Mandla MASANGO                            Randers FC (Denmark)

16. Hlompho KEKANA                             Mamelodi Sundowns FC (SA)

17. Keagan DOLLY                                    Mamelodi Sundowns FC (SA)

18. Dean FURMAN                                    Supersport United FC (SA)

19. May MAHLANGU                               Sint-Truidense FC (Belgium)

STRIKERS

20. Thamsanqa GABUZA                           Orlando Pirates FC (SA)

21. Sibusiso VILAKAZI                              Bidvest Wits FC (SA)

22. Ndumiso MABENA                               Platinum Stars FC (SA)

23. Thobani MNCWANGO                          Polokwane City FC (SA) – Guardian