Mandela Challenge shambles

All the gold and rubies in the world, and all success he's enjoyed so far, could not immunise Shakes Mashaba from the foreseeable shambles that accompanies friendly matches scheduled outside the Fifa international calendar.

It is the reason there were as many players who arrived for camp ahead of the Nelson Mandela Challenge clash against Ivory Coast (11) as there were media at the team hotel in Milpark, central Johannesburg, by the time of going to print yesterday.

Coach Mashaba also had to cancel the afternoon training session set for Dobsonville Stadium because the numbers didn't even allow him to field two six-a-side teams to play against each other.

The team is now left with two days and two training sessions before they face the mighty Elephants in the charity match at Mbombela Stadium at 3pm on Sunday.

Of the 11 who turned up, just nine of them were named in the original 23 players, forcing Mashaba to cast his net to the penumbra of the available player pool.

Midfielder Phumlani Ntshan-gase, 19, whose team Bidvest Wits withdrew Jabulani Shongwe and Thulani Hlatshwayo from the initial squad, was among those late call-ups, as were Siyabonga Nhlapo and Jackson Mabokgwane.

Three Orlando Pirates players - Patrick Phungwayo, Ntsikelelo Nyauza and Siyanda Ngubo - turned up, as well as Bongani Zungu, Asavela Mbekile and Themba Zwane, the three Mamelodi Sundowns players called up.

Despite this, Mashaba was confident of a positive and fruitful outcome from Sunday's match, adding that this was a chance for one of the rough diamonds to rise to the surface. Africa Cup of Nations places were still up for grabs, he said.

"The most important thing here is to widen our base," Mashaba said. "There are players who are really eager to come and play for Bafana. Each and every player that has been called up has got to grab this opportunity with both hands. I want players to understand that there is nothing such as a second-best player."

As it turned out, the fiasco allowed for a surprise return to the national team fold of Chippa United midfielder Thamsanqa Sangweni, who is part of the additional 11 players who were still expected to turn up at camp. Promising Ajax Cape Town utility back Abbubaker Moubara was also given a late nod.

"We must remember that this game falls outside the Fifa (international) date and that is why we must thank the clubs for making players available.

"Players are still coming in, some played matches [on Wednesday night], while others have requested to arrive late.

"From now on, we have to have the charity game set on a Fifa international date. This game is played for a good cause and we have to respect this challenge."