Bafana Bafana just got some extra Kaapse flavour after Cape Town City skipper Thami Mkhize was called up by Stuart Baxter on Tuesday.
The marauding rightback joins his teammate Thabo Nodada in the squad to face the Seychelles, home and away, in their Afcon 2019 qualifiers this Saturday and next Tuesday.
Mkhize comes in for injured defender Thapelo Morena, while Baxter also added Orlando Pirates winger Thembinkosi Lorch to replace club teammate Vincent Pule.
The solid Mkhize will add leadership qualities to the group, but will compete with and likely play second fiddle to first-choice rightback and Bafana captain Thulani Hlatshwayo.
South Africa are looking for six Group E points from the upcoming qualifiers, which will all but confirm second place in the pool and book their place in Cameroon finals at the end of the club season.
But Brentford midfielder Kamohelo Mokotjo warns that they shouldn’t get ahead of themselves and just focus on the winning these two games.
The 27-year-old says: “I don’t think we should look too far ahead.
“The pressure will always be there, so we should deal with each game as it comes and that is how we have established a new culture here. It takes some getting used to and adapting.”
Revised Bafana Bafana Squad
Goalkeepers:
Itumeleng Khune, Ronwen Williams, Darren Keet.
Defenders:
Ramahlwe Mphahlele, Motjeka Madisha, Thami Mkhize, Siyanda Xulu, Innocent Maela, Thulani Hlatshwayo, Sfiso Hlanti, Buhle Mkhwanazi.
Midfielders:
Aubrey Modiba, Dean Furman, Teboho Mokoena, Hlompho Kekana, Sibusiso Vilakazi, Lebogang Maboe, Thabo Nodada, Kamohelo Mokotjo, Thembinkosi Lorch.