Mosimane recalls key players ahead of Kenya double-header

Bafana Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane has announced his preliminary squad for next month’s back-to-back Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifiers against Kenya.

In his 38-man squad, Mosimane has recalled Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Thalente Mbatha, Lebohang Maboe and Luke le Roux who missed the last camp due to various reasons.

He has also rewarded good form by including Thalasani Mbanjwa, Aiden Mcacarthy, Nkosikhona Radebe, Devin Titus, Boitumelo Radiopane and Nxaba Xulu.

There is still no place for Evidence Makgopa but Mosimane has dropped Yanela Mbuthuma after he was part of the last camp for matches against Guinea, Eritrea and Egypt.

The return of Mbokazi is welcome but it is going to provide Mosimane with a healthy headache when it comes to balancing central defence as he also has Ime Okon and Olwethu Makhanya.

Maboe, who was withdrawn from the last camp due to injury, returns to offer competition with Teboho Mokoena, Sphephelo Sithole, Bathusi Aubaas and Brooklyn Poggenpoel.

Preliminary Squad

Goalkeepers: Ronwen Williams (Sundowns), Sipho Chaine (Pirates), Ricardo Goss (Sundowns), Thakasani Mbanjwa (Arrows)

Defenders: Aubrey Modiba (Sundowns), Samukele Kabini (FC Molde, Norway), Fawaaz Basadien (Sundowns), Nkosingiphile Radebe (AmaZulu), Thapelo Morena ,Thabang Matuludi, Khulumani Ndamane (all Sundowns), Olwethu Makhanya (Rangers FC, Scotland), Ime Okon(Hannover 96, Germany), Lebone Seema, Nkosinathi Sibisi (all Pirates), Mbekezeli Mbokazi (Chicago Fire, USA), Aden McCarthy (Sabah FK)

Midfielders: Sphephelo Sithole (Tondela CD, Portugal), Bathusi Aubaas (Sundowns), Brooklyn Poggenpoel (Durban City), Thalente Mbatha (Pirates), Luke Le Roux (Cercle Brugge, Belgium), Thapelo Maseko (FC Copenhagen, Denmark), Teboho Mokoena (Sundowns), Lebohang Maboe (Chiefs), Themba Zwane (Sundowns)

Forwards: Iqraam Rayners, Cassius Mailula, Tashreeq Matthews (Sundowns), Oswin Appollis (Pirates) Relebohile Mofokeng (Royale Union Saint-Gilloise, Belgium), Luther Singh (AEL Limassol, Cyprus), Devin Titus (Maghreb Fès, Morocco), Lyle Foster (Houston Dynamo, USA), Boitumelo Radiopane (Pirates), Nqaba Xulu (Richards Bay), Tshepang Moremi (Pirates), Puso Dithejane (Chicago Fire, USA)