Stuart Baxter announces Bafana squad to face Nigeria in 2019 Afcon qualifier

New Bafana Bafana coach Stuart Baxter finally showed his hand when he announced his first squad as national team boss.

Baxter succeeded the sacked Ephraim ‘‘Shakes” Mashaba early this month and there was massive interest in the kind of players he’d select for Bafana’s tricky away 2019 African Nations Cup qualifier against Nigeria.

"When I'm selecting this squad I'm looking for some continuity‚" Baxter said on Thursday.

• Baxter's salary is 'no one's business'New Bafana Bafana coach Stuart Baxter is either earning the same or less than his predecessor, Shakes Mashaba, SA Football Association (Safa) president Danny Jordaan has intimated. 

"The time that's been spent with the players prior to me arriving‚ we don't just want to throw the baby out with the bath water.

"I certainly want to bring in some players that I believe can add value. And I certainly want to reward some players."

Bafana 25-man squad:

• 'There are million reasons why people will suggest we won’t be successful,' says new Bafana coach BaxterStuart Baxter spoke like a mix between a pastor and a salesperson in his first official address as a Bafana Bafana coach‚ preaching unity and selling the legacy he wants to leave behind. 

Goalkeepers: Itumeleng Khune (Kaizer Chiefs)‚ Ronwen Williams (SuperSport United)‚ Darren Keet (Bidvest Wits)

Defenders: Rivaldo Coetzee (Ajax Cape Town)‚ Sifiso Hlanti (Bidvest Wits)‚ Thulani Hlatshwayo (Bidvest Wits)‚ Ramahlwe Mphahlele (Kaizer Chiefs)‚ Lorenzo Gordinho (Kaizer Chiefs)‚ Mulomowandau Mathoho (Kaizer Chiefs)‚ Abbubaker Mobara (Orlando Pirates)‚ Tebogo Langerman (Mamelodi Sundowns)

• Five players who can commit a smash-and-grab burglary for Baxter in NigeriaBafana Bafana do not need to go to Nigeria trying to play for a win. 

Midfielders: Keagan Dolly (Montpellier)‚ Aubrey Ngoma (Cape Town City)‚ Dean Furman (SuperSport United)‚ Andile Jali (KV Oostende)‚ Kamohelo Mokotjo (FC Twente‚ Netherlands)‚ Hlompo Kekana (Mamelodi Sundowns)‚ Bongani Zungu (Vitoria Guimaraes‚ Portugal)‚ Themba Zwane (Mamelodi Sundowns)

Strikers: Sibusiso Vilakazi (Mamelodi Sundowns)‚ Percy Tau (Mamelodi Sundowns)‚ Tokelo Rantie (Genclerbirligi‚ Turkey)‚ Kermit Erasmus (Lens‚ France)‚ Lebogang Manyama (Cape Town City)‚ Thamsanq Gabuza (Orlando Pirates)

- TMG Digital/TMG Sport