BROOS GETS BUC UP

ORLANDO Pirates youngsters Mbekezeli Mbokazi and Mohau Nkota are set to make their international debuts after being named in the Bafana Bafana squad for upcoming friendlies.

It’s been a rollercoaster season for teenager Mbokazi, who played his first senior game for the club just this year. Nkota has also received a nod from coach Hugo Broos after impressing for the Buccaneers.

Also receiving their maiden call-ups were Simphiwe Selepe and Deano Van Rooyen, who also play for Orlando Pirates. In total, nine players from Pirates were selected for the friendlies.

Players from Premiership champions Mamelodi Sundowns were not considered. The Brazilians are set to take part in the second leg of the Caf Champions League final on Sunday and will be in the United States next month to play in the Club World Cup.

Broos’ manne will play Tanzania at Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane next Friday, and Mozambique at Loftus in Tshwane four days later.

Broos says of his squad selection: “The reason we are doing this is to provide an opportunity to younger players. The move will also make it easier for us to monitor them because they will have gotten an opportunity in the national team.

“Now they have a chance, and if some players impress me and do what I expect, they will be on this team, either in the World Cup qualifiers or Africa Cup of Nations.”

Stellies, meanwhile, have three players in the squad Thabo Moloisane, Fawaaz Basadien and Ashley Cupido, while Cape Town City won’t have a single representative in camp.

BAFANA SQUAD:

Goalkeepers: Ricardo Goss, Sipho Chaine and Renaldo Leaner  

Defenders: Khulumani Ndamane, Nyiko Mobbie, Thabo Moloisane, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Deano van Rooyen, Samukelo Kabini, Fawaaz Basadien

Midfielders: Simphiwe Selepe, Thalente Mbatha, Ndamulelo Maphangule, Luke le Roux

Forwards: Yanela Mbuthuma, Relebohile Mofokeng, Oswin Appollis, Mohau Nkota, Patrick Maswanganyi, Tshepang Moremi, Sinoxolo Kwayiba and Ashley Cupido