South Africa head coach Hugo Broos has named his 23-man squad for the 2022 World Cup Qualifier double-header against Ethiopia scheduled for October.
Among those included in the team is defender Njabulo Blom, midfielder Thabani Zuke. Eyes will be on the striker Vincent Pule who turns for PSL side Orlando Pirates.
Star forward Pacy Tau is among notable exclusions alongside midfielder Thibang Phete who turns Belenenses SAD and Belenenses FC’s Sphephelo Sithole .
Tau suffered a hamstring strain while on duty with Bafana Bafana earlier this month and has not been participating in full training with his Egyptian clubAl Ahly.
Bafana Bafana started their campaign in Group G with an important goalless draw away to neighbours Zimbabwe.
They followed it with a 1-0 win at home over Ghana to take their points tally to four. Bongokuhle Hlongwane scored a late goal to hand his team maximum points.
South Africa face the East Africans, first in Ethiopia on 9 October before welcoming the same opponents at FNB Stadium on 12 October.
Full Squad:
Goalkeepers: Ronwen Williams (Supersport United); Veli Mothwa (AmaZulu) & Bruce Bvuma (Kaizer Chiefs)
Defenders: Nyiko Mobbie (Sekhukhune United); Njabulo Blom (Kaizer Chiefs); Terrence Mashego (Cape Town City); Sifiso Hlanti (Kaizer Chiefs); Rushine De Reuk (Mamelodi Sundowns); Siyanda Xulu (Hapoel Tel Aviv); Njabulo Ngcobo (Kaizer Chiefs) & Mosa Lebusa (Mamelodi Sundowns);
Midfielders: Thabani Zuke (Golden Arrows); Mothobi Mvala (Mamelodi Sundowns); Yusuf Maart (Sekhukhune United); Teboho Mokoena (SuperSport United) & Goodman Mosele (Orlando Pirates); Ethan Brooks (TS Galaxy)
Forwards: Thabiso Kutumela (Mamelodi Sundowns); Bongokuhle Hlongwane (Maritzburg United); Evidence Makgopa (Baroka FC); Victor Letsoalo (Royal AM); Vincent Pule (Orlando Pirates) & Tshegofatso Mabasa (Orlando Pirates)
