Bafana Bafana coach Joel Santana has earned the support of former national squad players Carlos Das Neves, Duncan Crowie and Roger Links as he prepares his charges for a crucial African Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifier with the Silver Eagles in Port Elizabeth on Saturday, 6 September.

Santana has called on goalkeeper Moeneeb Josephs, defenders Bryce Moon, Matthew Booth, Nashief Morris and Bevan Fransman, midfielder Lance Davids and striker Benni McCarthy to assure success for the national team. The seven squad members honed their talents in the diverse demographics of the Cape before venturing to clubs north of the Orange River and thereafter to clubs across Europe and Israel.

Das Neves, Crowie and Links believe Santana is banking heavily on a nucleus of former Cape Town based players to stabilise an often wobbly Bafana Bafana defence.

“I am anxious for our (Cape) players to excel. I feel Santana should persevere with them. Hopefully, they will still be in good shape for the 2010 World Cup,” says Das Neves, an ex-Hellenic defender, who now coaches Vasco da Gama in the National First Division.

Crowie pointed out McCarthy is not only a potent goalscorer, but his subtle yet at times direct style of play creates vital scoring chances for his fellow players.

“Bafana Bafana has always benefitted from the talents of Cape Town strikers. McCarthy’s predecessors in the national team were our other top marksmen Mark Williams and Shaun Bartlett,” says Crowie, now the technical director at Santos FC.

Links anticipates at least four former Cape Town players will start off against Nigeria, namely Booth, Moon, Morris and McCarthy, with ex-Mitchell’s Plain juniors Davids and Josephs standing outside chances of getting the nod. The recall of Fish Hoek-born Booth, now the captain of Krylia Sovetov FC in Russia, should provide Santana with a strong ball winner – particularly in the aerial battles – in which Bafana Bafana have regularly come off second best.

Booth is expected to take over from central defender Aaron Mokwena (suspended), while Morris and Moon should make it, after steady performances in a 2-2 friendly draw with Australia in London a fortnight ago.

SQUAD

Defenders: Siboniso Gaxa, Mbulelo Mabizela (both Sundowns), Nasief Morris (Recreative Huelva, Spain), Bevan Fransman (Maccabi Netanya, Israel), Bongani Khumalo (SuperSport Utd), Bradley Carnell (Karlsruhe, Germany), Matthew Booth (Krylia Sovetov, Russia), Innocent Mdedle (Orlando Pirates), Bryce Moon (Panathinakos, Greece).

Midfielders: Siyabonga Nkosi (Arminia Bielefield, Germany), Kagiso Dikgacoi (Golden Arrows), Teko Modise, Lebogang Mothibantwa, Thulas Mbuyane (all Orlando Pirates), Macbeth Sibeya (Ruben Kazan, Russia), Surprise Morini (Sundowns), Lefa Tsutsulupa (Moroka Swallows), Lance Davids (Djurgardens, Sweden), Siphiwe Tshabalala (Kaizer Chiefs).

Strikers: Benni McCarthy (Blackburn Rovers, England), Sibusiso Zuma (Mamelodi Sundowns)