Coach Helman Mkhalele has named the 23-man Bafana Bafana squad that is to represent South Africa at this year’s COSAFA Cup tournament scheduled for Durban from 5-17 July.
Mkhalele stated that drawing up the final squad was not an easy process, given the quality the had roped in for their preliminary squad.
The 52-year old mentor added that they were happy with the final 23 players they have chosen and are hopeful they will do the job.
The COSAFA Cup defending champions are scheduled to travel to Durban on 10 July, just three days before their opening quarterfinal tie against Mozambique on 13 July.
“This was not an easy process to go through given the fact that everybody in the team showed the hunger and desire to be in the final squad,” Mkhalele said.
“That’s what made it difficult, but we are happy with the final 23 we have chosen. We have also made them aware of the expectations set to them going into this tournament and our first game against Mozambique.’’
This will be the second time in a row that South Africa will be facing their neighbours in the COSAFA Cup quarterfinals, having sauntered past them 3-0 last year en route to beating Senegal on penalties in the final.
Mkhalele is aware that Mozambique will come motivated to try and avenge last year’s defeat but is preparing his players for such eventuality.
“When you go to any tournament as a coach, you need to make sure that you have selected players who have the right mindset, attitude and the willingness to win,” Mkhalele said.
“The first game against Mozambique is going to be crucial because this is a side we beat in last year’s edition en route to the final. They will go into this tie with the intentions of avenging that defeat and we cannot let them. We are the defending champions and our intention is go all the way in fighting to defend our title.”
Coach Helman Mkhelele has named his @COSAFAMEDIA squad. @BafanaBafana will take on Mozambique ???? in the quarter finals of the regional tournament on 13 July 2022 @SAFA_net pic.twitter.com/rZ6Agu6kG0
— Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) July 1, 2022