'We have been following players all over the world,' says Bafana interim coach Da Gama

Owen da Gama wanted to retain the core of the side that beat Senegal in November in his Bafana Bafana squad for this month’s two friendlies‚ while also introducing youth and recalling players who had been overlooked.

Bafana caretaker-coach Da Gama named a squad on Thursday at Safa House for the internationals against Guinea-Bissau on March 25 and Angola on March 28 that has already been roundly praised for its adventurism.

Mamelodi Sundowns’ blisteringly in-form Percy Tau and Cape Town City’s destructive winger Lebogang Manyama have finally been handed long-overdue call-ups.

Amajita internationals Luther Singh and Phakamani Mahlambi have been included.

• Teenagers Mahlambi and Singh named in Bafana squad, Erasmus and Mokotjo get recallsBafana Bafana caretaker-coach Owen da Gama named an adventurous squad for two friendlies in March that included a recall for Kamohelo Mokotjo‚ and call-ups for SA Under-20 internationals Luther Singh and Phakamani Mahlambi. 

There have been recalls‚ too‚ for discarded Lens forward Kermit Erasmus and FC Twente midfield star Kamohelo Mokotjo‚ who had become estranged from the national team under ex-Bafana coach Shakes Mashaba.

Da Gama said since Bafana beat Senegal 2-1 in a World Cup qualifier in Polokwane some players had made it hard not to be included.

“When you look at the squad‚ we last played against Senegal on November 12‚ so there’s been a bit of a gap‚” SA’s caretaker-coach said.

“We have been following players all over the world.

"Kermit Erasmus has started playing quite regularly now.

"Mokotjo has always been playing and he’s doing very well for his team.

• Dutch-born Veldwijk gets another chance to prove himself in a Bafana shirtLars Veldwijk has been included in Owen Da Gama’s squad for two friendlies this month because “you can't just cast him aside”‚ the national team caretaker-coach said. 

“The two youngsters that we have brought in – Singh and Mahlambi – I think this will encourage them‚ and a lot of youngsters‚ to work harder.

“And I think it’s a step in the right direction‚ to give hope to youngsters‚ and encourage them to do well at their junior national teams.

“We’ve tried to look at the Senegal squad‚ and we didn’t want to change too much there.

"You want to take the Senegal squad‚ and try and strengthen it as best as possible.

“I think that allowed us to move in this direction.”

Mahlambi and Singh have turned out for Amajita at the Caf U-20 Africa Cup of Nations‚ where SA lost 1-0 in extra-time against hosts Zambia in Wednesday night's semifinal in Lusaka.

• 10 explosive South African talents no self-respecting Bafana coach should to go to war withoutThere are explosive players – some emerging‚ others who have fallen by the wayside – who have been overlooked for Bafana Bafana despite banging down the door to be included. 

Singh is the current tournament top scorer.

Da Gama took a refreshing turn towards selection on form‚ not reputation.

There were call-ups too for SuperSport United’s in-form forward Thabo Mnyamane and Kaizer Chiefs’ steadily developing centreback Lorenzo Gordinho.

Retained from the Senegal squad are goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune and defenders Ramahlwe Mphahlele‚ Rivaldo Coetzee‚ Thulani Hlatshwayo and Tebogo Langerman.

Midfielders Hlompo Kekana‚ Keagan Dolly‚ Andile Jali and Dean Furman and forwards Thulani Serero and Lars Veldwijk also keep their places.

• Letsholonyane has not given up hope of playing for Bafana Bafana againAt the ripe age of 34‚ veteran SuperSport United midfielder Reneilwe Letsholonyane has not given up hope of playing for Bafana Bafana again. 

Midfielder Tiyani Mabunda‚ who replaced Furman when he was ruled out injured and performed well on debut against Senegal‚ has been retained.

With the SA Football Association yet to name a new coach‚ Da Gama takes charge of this month's friendlies.

He was also caretaker in the 1-1 friendly draw against Mozambique in November‚ four days after the win against Senegal‚ after Mashaba was suspended for a post-match outburst directed at his Safa bosses immediately after the 2018 World Cup game in Polokwane.

- TMG Digital/TGM Sport