Bafana Bafana have safely arrived in Durban to start preparations for their upcoming international friendly match against Guinea-Bissau.
The clash will take place at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday, 25 March.
Kickoff is at 15h00.
All the players have reported for national team duty with the exception of France-based Keagan Dolly who is expected to arrive on Tuesday, 21 March to join his compatriots in Durban.
Overseas-based players – Thulani Serero, Andile Jali, Kermit Erasmus, Luther Singh, Lars Veldwijk and Kamohelo Mokotjo are also in camp.
There is still uncertainly about the availability of Mokotjo to play for South Africa after he acquired Dutch citizenship, but his matter is being handled at the highest level.
“Kamohelo Mokotjo is among the players who reported for the national team camp on Sunday, 19 March 2017. You all know that we have this issue whereby the player has obtained a Dutch citizenship – but we have invited him to camp and his matter of citizenship and playing for Bafana Bafana is being handled by the Association (SAFA) and the South African government. Immediately this matter has come to a logical conclusion we will inform the members of the media,” said Bafana Bafana Bafana team manager Barney Kujane addressing the media in Durban upon the squad’s arrival in the city.
“Just to assure you also, the reason we have invited him to camp is that Kamohelo has indicated that he wants to play for his country, and we recognise that. As to what happens next we will have to wait for the outcome from the Association. For now he will continue training with the team and preparing for the upcoming matches until further notice.”
Stand-in Bafana Bafana coach, Owen da Gama, says he is excited about being in Durban.
“We are very elated about being in Durban. We have brought a very exciting team, I think the technical team has done well in terms of the selection. The thinking was about continuity from the squad that played in the Senegal match, and did very well. We have also added some young and exciting players who have been doing very well for their teams. It is important that we acknowledge players when they do well at their clubs, afterall, we always want that at any given time to present you with the best possible Bafana Bafana team,” said Da Gama.
“There are also other players who have been on top of their game and are not here, but they are also under the radar. I have been constantly been asked about specific players who are not selected, but I think it is important that we pay tribute to the players that are here, acknowledge their selection and focus on that. We certainly hope the boys will come out and give a fantastic display of their talent on Saturday.”
After the Guinea-Bissau match, Bafana Bafana will move to East London where they will play against Angola.
The encounter will take place at Buffalo City Stadium (formerly known as the ABSA Stadium).
The clash will take place on Tuesday, 28 March 2017.
Kickoff is at 19h00.