Orlando Pirates striker Tshegofatso Mabasa looks set to add to his six Bafana Bafana caps after being named in the 32-member preliminary squad for next month’s back-to-back Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Congo.
For the past 12 months, Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos overlooked Mabasa despite his impressive form.
He was the Premiership’s Golden Boot winner last season, and has already scored three times in eight matches this season.
At the start of Broos’ tenure as the national team coach, Mabasa found favour with the coach, but he seemed to suffer from stage fright and fell out of favour.
Mabasa’s natural goalscoring instincts made him a regular selection at Pirates during coach Josef Zinnbauer’s time, and now under Jose Riveiro.
The 27-year-old is one of seven Pirates players in the preliminary squad, and Riveiro is delighted that Broos is acknowledging their form.
“It’s good news any time a Pirates player is on the list of whichever national team, in this case Bafana Bafana,” said Riveiro after Tuesday’s 3-0 win against Polokwane City.
“Coach Hugo is putting the eyes on the boys, we are happy. They are performing well and good enough to get that responsibility, because it is a big responsibility to play for your country.
“It’s something that makes us feel very proud, and hopefully in the future, little by little, we will get more space there.”
Mamelodi Sundowns, with nine players, have the most players in the squad, but Broos will not be too happy with the Chloorkop outfit.
Bafana’s key players, Teboho Mokoena and Khuliso Mudau, have been dropped for consecutive matches, and that does not help their conditioning.
The media have not been able to pin Sundowns’ coach Manqoba Mngqithi down, on his reasons for overlooking the duo.
However, when the duo’s selection came up for discussion, Mngqithi said: “One thing you must know is that I am very capable of making decisive decisions. That’s one thing I am good at.”
Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos announces his preliminary squad for the Congo AFCON qualifier matches.....@CastleLagerSA @10bet_ZA @flysaa pic.twitter.com/5trrE60fNL
The two players are out of favour with Mngqithi, and Sundowns fans will be looking with great interest at Saturday’s team selection for the clash against Kaizer Chiefs to see if they will be cold-shouldered again.
The bad news for Bloemfontein fans is that Bafana will not return to the Free State Stadium for the October 11 clash against Congo, even though it was the first-choice venue.
The stadium is unavailable because of rugby matches, and Safa have opted for the world-class Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha.
“Given the support we received in June, when Bafana Bafana played against Zimbabwe (in Bloemfontein), we thought it’s the best atmosphere to give our team the support they need to get maximum points at home before they go to Brazzaville,” said Safa CEO Lydia Monyepao.
“Unfortunately, unforeseen circumstances necessitated a venue change. There were issues beyond our control and we had to take the game elsewhere.”
The Premiership season will take an early break after this weekend’s action and resumes on October 25.
Stellenbosch FC and Pirates will play the MTN8 final in Durban on October 5.
With this fixture list, most players will be fresh for Bafana Bafana’s camp on Sunday, October 6 ahead of the first match against Congo on Friday, October 11.
Broos will name his final squad for the two fixtures next week Thursday.
Bafana Preliminary Squad
Goalkeepers: Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns), Sipho Chaine (Orlando Pirates), Veli Mothwa (AmaZulu), Ricardo Goss (SuperSport United)
Defenders: Sydney Mobbie (SuperSport), Bradley Cross (Kaizer Chiefs), Rushwin Dortley (Chiefs), Thapelo Morena (Sundowns), Nkosinathi Sibisi (Pirates), Aubrey Modiba (Sundowns), Khuliso Mudau (Sundowns), Thabiso Sesane (Pirates), Fawaaz Basadien (Stellenbosch FC), Siyabonga Ngezana (FCSB, Romania), Grant Kekana (Sundowns)
Midfielders: Teboho Mokoena (Sundowns), Jayden Adams (Stellenbosch FC), Bathusi Aubaas (Sundowns), Sinoxolo Kwayiba (Chippa United), Luke le Roux (Varnamo, Sweden), Thalente Mbatha (Pirates)
Forwards: Tshegofatso Mabasa (Pirates), Iqraam Rayners (Sundowns), Mihlali Mayambela (Aris Limassol, Cyprus), Percy Tau (Al Ahly, Egypt), Elias Mokwana (Esperance Tunis, Tunisia), Lyle Foster (Burnley, England), Relebohile Mofokeng (Pirates), Themba Zwane (Sundowns), Devin Titus (Stellenbosch FC), Oswin Appollis (Polokwane City), Patrick Maswanganyi (Pirates)