Stellenbosch FC players have been rewarded for their sterling performance in the 2021-22 DStv Diski Challenge season.
Athenkosi Mcaba, Lebohang Nthene , Jayden Adams and Antonio van Wyk have all been called into the Bafana Bafana squad that will participate in the Cosafa Cup late this month.
The competition takes place from 5-17 July at King Zwelithini, Princess Magogo and the Moses Mabhida stadiums in Durban.
The quad were part of the impressive Stellies team that clinched the DStv Diski Challenge title on the final day of the season.
The Stellenbosch quad were selected alongside Orlando Pirates striker Boitumelo Radiopane who finished the season as the Diski Challenge top goal scorer with 24 goals.
Sbonelo Cele (Golden Arrows), Khulekani Shezi (Royal AM), Sydney Malivha, Dan Ndlovu (both Baroka FC), Selaelo Rasebotja, Thapelo Maseko (both SuperSport United) and Keletso Sifama (Kaizer Chiefs) are another Diski Challenge start who will don the national team colours.
Bafana are the reigning champions of the regional competition and the squad made up of Under-23 players would be looking at impressing by winning the title again.
By doing so, they would also be raising their hands in the senior squad.
Bafana will start the competitions in the quarter-finals where they will face Mozambique on 13 July.
In the 23-man squad that coach Helman Mkhalele announced, Ethan Brooks, who is also another Diski Challenge graduate is the only most senior player in the squad.
THE FULL SQUAD:
Goalkeepers: Lincoln Vyver (Cape Town Spurs), Olwethu Mzimela (AmaZulu), Lebohang Nthene (Stellenbosch)
Defenders: Sbonelo Cele (Golden Arrows), Athenkosi Mcaba (Stellenbosch), Macbeth Mahlangu, (TS Galaxy), Keegan Johannes (SuperSport United), Zuko Madunyelwa (Chippa United), Siyanda Msani (University of Pretoria), Khulekani Shezi (Royal AM)
Midfielders: Jayden Adams (Stellenbosch), Ethan Brooks (Galaxy), Sydney Malivha, Dan Ndlovu (both Baroka FC), Selaelo Rasebotja, Thapelo Maseko (both SuperSport United), Rowan Human (Maritzburg United), Chumani Busaka (Cape Town Spurs), Katlego Mashigo (Portadown)
Strikers: Azola Matrose (Chippa United), Antonio van Wyk (Stellenbosch), Keletso Sifama (Kaizer Chiefs), Boitumelo Radiopane (Cape Town Spurs).