By Michael Madyira
Bafana Bafana assistant coach Helman Mkhalele has selected his 50-man provisional squad for the 2024 Cosafa Cup tournament.
South Africa will host the regional competition from 26 June to 7 July, and Bafana will be in Group A with Mozambique, Botswana, and Eswatini following Friday’s draw.
Mkhalele, who will replace head coach Hugo Broos at the Cosafa Cup, released the names of the players he picked.
The 1996 Africa Cup of Nations-winning coach snubbed PSL Golden Boot winner Tshegofatso Mabasa.
Also overlooked was Cape Town City forward Khanyisa Mayo, who finished fifth on the top goal-scorers chart with 10 goals.
After being deemed not good enough for the Bafana side for major competitions, Mabasa and Mayo have also failed to make the Cosafa Cup selection.
Broos is on record saying the duo is not up to the standard he requires his strikers to be in international football.
However, Mkhalele’s squad is dominated by younger players and is headlined by Orlando Pirates and Stellenbosch, who each contributed six stars.
The Buccaneers men selected are Relebohile Mofokeng, Thabiso Monyane, Thalente Mbatha, Thabiso Sesane, and the goalkeeping duo of Sipho Chaine and Melusi Buthelezi.
Kaizer Chiefs, which has been struggling to provide players for the national team, contributed goalkeeper Bruce Bvuma, Mduduzi Shabalala, and Samkelo Zwane.
Sundowns have Zuko Mdunyelwa, Lesiba Nku, and Luvuyo Phewa making the cut, while a number of relegated Cape Town Spurs players also feature.
Bafana will be out to depose Cosafa Cup defending champions Zambia and claim a fifth title.
Pictured above: Orlando Pirates ace Tshegofatso Mabasa skilfully controls the ball under the challenge of Golden Arrows defenders.
Source: Orlando Pirates
