Igesund’s first assignment is against Brazil in Sao Paolo on Friday, September 7, followed by Mozambique on Tuesday, September 11 at Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga.
A very positive Igesund is insistent that the players he selects for the national team “must be performing for their club”, and must have a high level of fitness.
“We need to make this national team very competitive, where players don’t feel they are automatically selected,” Igesund says.
Andile Jali and Teko Modise are notable absences from the squad, while Moeneeb Josephs has returned after retiring from the national games.
The squad is as follows:
Goalkeepers
Wayne Sandilands (Mamelodi Sundowns), Moeneeb Josephs (Orlando Pirates), Itumeleng Khune (Kaizer Chiefs)
Defenders
Siyabonga Sangweni (Orlando Pirates), Bevan Fransman (SuperSport United), Bongani Khumalo (PAOK, Greece), Erick Mathoho (Kaizer Chiefs), Anele Ngcongca (Genk, Belgium), Punch Masenamela (Mamelodi Sundowns), Thabo Matlaba (Orlando Pirates)
Midfielders
Kamohelo Makotjo (Feyenoord, Holland), Kgosi Ntlhe (Peterborough, England), Steven Pienaar (captain)(Everton, England), Reneilwe Letsholonyane, Siphiwe Tshabalala (both Kaizer Chiefs), Thulani Serero (Ajax Amsterdam, Holland), Katlego Mashego (Free State Stars), Dean Furman (Oldham Athletic, England), Kagisho Dikgacoi (Crystal Palace, England)
Strikers
May Mahlangu (Malmo, Sweden), Bernard Parker (Kaizer Chiefs), Lerato Chabangu, Siyabonga Nomvete (both Moroka Swallows), Dino Ndlovu (Maccabi Haifa, Israel), Thamsanqa Gabuza (Golden Arrows)
