Issa gets Bafana recall
2005-06-30 13:26
Cape Town - Coach Stuart Baxter has recalled Pierre Issa to a 19-man depleted Bafana Bafana squad to participate in the Concacaf Gold Cup tournament starting in the United States next week.
Baxter said he would name four others before the team departed on Sunday.
The Englishman's five-man defence includes none of the usual stalwarts - Aaron Mokoena and Nasief Morris - which means Issa, who scored an own goal for Bafana Bafana in South Africa's inaugural World Cup match against France at the Olympique Marseille Stadium in 1998, is the most experienced defender in the squad.
Issa is joined by Pirates duo Lucky Lekgwathi and Lucas Thwala, while the Supersport duo of Ricardo Katza and Pa Gaxa also get another chance to impress.
Former Capetonian Craig Bianchi, who now plays his football for Mamelodi Sundowns in Pretoria, also earns a recall to the Bafana squad after a spell in the international wilderness.
Baxter has kept faith with Calvin Marlin in goals, despite the SuperSport United goalkeeper having produced an indifferent performance in the 0-2 World Cup qualifying defeat to Ghana earlier this month.
African Champions League
With first choice custodian Hans Vonk still out with a back injury and Ajax Cape Town reluctant to release Moeneeb Josephs due to their African Champions League commitments, Baxter has been forced to call up former SA Under-23 'keeper Wayne Roberts from Wits University and the uncapped Lee-Raoul Langeveldt from first division side FC Fortune.
The midfield is entirely locally based with Baxter likely to rely on the erratic Benedict 'Tso' Vilakazi to drive the team forward.
Many local fans will be pleased to see the lanky frame of SupeSport striker Lungisani Ndlela in the squad.
The former Moroka Swallows man is joined by the experienced Siyabonga Nomvete and Lebohang Mokoena up front.
Baxter was unable to call up star striker Benni McCarthy as his Portuguese club, FC Porto, were not willing to release the club's highest goalscorer for the tournament as the dates clash with the former European champions pre-season training.
The full Bafana squad is:
Goalkeepers: Calvin Marlin (SuperSport United), Wayne Roberts (Wits University), Lee-Raoul Langeveldt (FC Fortune).
Defenders: Lucky Lekgwathi (Orlando Pirates), Craig Bianchi (Mamelodi Sundowns), Ricardo Katza (SuperSport United), Pa Gaxa (SuperSport United), Lucas Thwala (Orlando Pirates), Pierre Issa (Ionikos).
Midfielders: Benedict Vilakazi (Orlando Pirates), Siyabonga Siphike (Manning Rangers), Reagan Noble (Mamelodi Sundowns), Gift Leremi (Orlando Pirates), Bongani Nkosi (Bloemfontein Celtic), Hleza Mafedi (Orlando Pirates). Abram Raselemane (SuperSport United).
Strikers: Siyabonga Nomvete (Empoli), Lebohang Mokoena (Orlando Pirates), Lungisani Ndlela (SuperSport United).