Bafana Bafana coach Molefi Ntseki has named a 25-man squad ahead of the upcoming Fifa international break.
The South Africans play two friendlies from 8 October, playing two matches against Namibia and Zambia at Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg.
New faces called up to face Namibia and Zambia
There are potential debuts for a number of players named in the squad, including Portugal-based defender Thibang Phete getting his maiden call-up, alongside striker Kurt Abrahams, who plies his trade in Belgium’s second tier.
Also in the squad is Cape Town City midfielder Thabo Nodada, who is yet to represent Bafana Bafana, while 31-year-old Gladwin Shitolo also gets a chance to earn his first national cap along with former Orlando Pirates teammate Thabiso Kutumela.
There was still no place for veteran goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune, who spent much of the past season on the bench for Kaizer Chiefs. Instead, Ntseki has entrusted Belgium-based shot-stopper Darren Keet, Supersport United’s Ronwen Williams and new Mamelodi Sundowns recruit Ricardo Goss to carry out duties between the posts.
Other notable omissions include former skipper Dean Furman, who is currently playing in England’s League Two, and French-based striker Lebo Mothiba.
Kaizer Chiefs’ Lebogang Manyama makes a comeback into the setup, along with promising winger Luther Singh.
The match against Namibia takes place on Thursday 8 October, while the Zambia clash is on Sunday the 11th.
Bafana Bafana squad
Goalkeepers: Darren Keet (Oud-Haverlee Leuven FC – Belgium), Ronwen Williams (Supersport United), Ricardo Goss (Mamelodi Sundowns).
Defenders: Thibang Phete (OS Belenenses SAD (Portugal), Motjeka Madisha (Mamelodi Sundowns), Thulani Hlatshwayo (Orlando Pirates), S’fiso Hlanti (without club), Innocent Maela (Orlando Pirates), Mosa Lebusa (Mamelodi Sundowns), Abubaker Mobara (Cape Town City), Reeve Frosler (Kaizer Chiefs).
Midfielders: Andile Jali, Mothobi Mvala, Themba Zwane (Sundowns), Thabo Nodada (CTC), Teboho Mokoena (Supersport), Gladwin Shitolo (Arrows), Keagan Dolly (Montpellier), Percy Tau (Anderlecht, Belgium), Thabiso Kutumela (Maritzburg), Sipho Mbule (Supersport), Luther Singh (Braga FC).
Strikers: Kermit Erasmus (Cape Town City), Kurt Abrahams (KVC Westerlo, Belgium), Lebohang Manyama (Kaizer Chiefs). COACH: Molefi Ntseki.
