Johannesburg – Defender Tsepo Masilela was named in Bafana Bafana’s 25-man squad to take on hosts Mauritania in their 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on September 5, in in Nouakchott.
Masilela returns to the national setup after a two-year absence for the injured Patrick Phungwayo.
Top contenders for a national callup missing from the squad were Kamohelo Mokotjo, Oupa Manyisa, Kermit Erasmus and Thabo Rakhale.
Mashaba said he would not underestimate the much lower-ranked Mauritania in their clash.
South Africa’s opposition are ranked 113th in the world, and Bafana at number 72 should have the firepower to brush aside the nation, but the coach was far less confident.
“Rankings don’t mean much on the field of play,” said Mashaba.
“Mauritania held Cameroon for the better part of their match in June, away in Cameroon so it clearly shows we need to be at our best to come back victorious.”
Bafana drew 0-0 with Gambia in the opening match of the qualifiers at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban in June.
“Even though this match comes after a well-deserved rest, not just for the players but also for the technical team, due to the spacing in between, it has also killed the momentum of the team. But I have complete confidence in the players that we have selected and I believe they will deliver,” said Mashaba.
The Bafana mentor said he was confident of getting a good result in the West African country.
“Some of the players have been on a long break and only started playing recently, but I know we will get the result we want. If you look at the squad we have picked, it is based on the opposition. They recently lost by a narrow margin to Cameroon, which means we cannot take them lightly.
“We need to drum into our players the fact that they should not look at the opposition and stop asking who Mauritania is. Let’s give them the respect they deserve. We need to score first and demoralise them because if they net first they might make it difficult for us to come back. In short we have to go there prepared so we can get a result.”
Bafana Bafana squad:
Goalkeepers: Jackson Mabogkwane (Mpumalanga Aces FC), Itumeleng Khune (Kaizer Chiefs), Ronwen Williams (Supersport United)
Defenders: Erick Mathoho (Kaizer Chiefs), Rivaldo Coetzee (Ajax Cape Town), Thulani Hlatshwayo (Bidvest Wits), Siyabonga Nhlapo (Bidvest Wits), Anele Ngcongca (Racing Genk), Mzikayise Mashaba (Mamelodi Sundowns), Siyabonga Zulu (Platinum Stars), Tsepo Masilela (Kaizer Chiefs)
Midfielders: Dean Furman (Supersport United), Andile Jali (KV Oostende), Bongani Zungu (Sundowns), Mandla Masango (Randers FC), Phumlani Ntshangase (Bidvest Wits), Jabulani Shongwe (Bidvest Wits), Themba Zwane (Mamelodi Sundowns), Mpho Makola (Orlando Pirates), Ayanda Patosi (Lokeren), Daylon Claasen (1860 Munich),
Strikers: Thulani Serero (Ajax Amsterdam), Thamsanqa Gabuza (Orlando Pirates), Sibusiso Vilakazi (Bidvest Wits), Tokelo Rantie (Bounermouth) – African News Agency.