Bafana Bafana coach Shakes Mashaba has named a 25-man squad that included a new face in Belgium-based striker Lars Veldwijk, a player he has apparently been scouting as far back as when he was handed the national team job two years ago.
“I have been monitoring him since he was playing for Nottingham Forrest (in England),” said Mashaba on Thursday afternoon while announcing the team that will face Senegal in Bafana’s second 2018 World Cup qualifier next month in Polokwane. “He is a big boy, strong and can hold the ball. Maybe he can offer us something if he makes the line-up.”
Lars, 25, has since moved to KV Kortrijk in the Belgian Pro League, but has managed just one goal in five appearances for his club this season and has been mostly used as a substitute.
Mashaba is banking on several other new inclusions for victory at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on November 12 against a tough Senegal side that currently sit top of Group D of the World Cup qualifiers having beaten Cape Verde 2-0 in Dakar, while Bafana were held to a 1-1 draw by Burkina Faso in Ouagadougou. Mashaba said next month’s home fixture was a must-win if South Africa are to qualify for the World Cup in Russia.
Bidvest Wits playmaker Daine Klate has also been called-up following several years in the cold.
Bafana squad:
Goalkeepers: Itumeleng Khune, Brighton Mhlongo, and Ronwen Williams
Defenders: Ramahlwe Mphahlele, Rivaldo Coetzee, Thulani Hlatshwayo, Clayton Daniels, Asavela Mbekile, Tebogo Langerman, Mulomowandau Mathoho, Thabo Matlaba
Midfielders: Dean Furman, Andile Jali, May Mahlangu, Ayanda Patosi, Keagan Dolly, Daine Klate, Mpho Makola, Hlompho Kekana
Strikers: Eleazar Rodgers, Bradley Grobler, Lars Veldwijk, Sibusiso Vilakazi, Thulani Serero, Thuso Phala
Follow Mazola Molefe on Twitter@superjourno
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