Mkhalele names final Bafana selection for Cosafa Cup

Bafana Bafana have named a youthful squad with exciting talent for the 2024 Cosafa Cup that will be staged in Gqeberha from Wednesday, with several of the DStv Premiership top emerging talent selected by stand-in coach Helman Mkhalele.

The squad has a heavy Western Cape influence, with Cape Town City defender Keanu Cupido joined by young midfield talent Jaedin Rhodes, while the Stellenbosch FC quartet of Thabo Moloisane, Athenkosi Mcaba, Antonio van Wyk and Devin Titus are also selected.

Cape Town Spurs will also have two players in the squad in the form of young forwards Asanele Velebayi and Ashley Cupido.

Defenders Malebogo Modise and Sirgio Kammies, along with midfielder Brooklyn Poggenpoel, all represent Chippa United, while AmaZulu also have three players in the form of goalkeeper Olwethu Mzimela, Ethan Brooks and Tshepang Moremi.

Several players have used the Cosafa Cup in recent years to add to their profile in the off-season, with the likes of Iqraam Rayners and Tshegofatso Mabasa both playing – and scoring last year.

Bafana have been drawn in Group A along with Eswatini, Botswana and Mozambique. They open their campaign against the latter at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Wednesday (kick-off 18h00).

Bafana Bafana squad for 2024 Cosafa Cup:

Goalkeepers: Mondli Mpoto (Royal AM), Olwethu Mzimela (AmaZulu), Samukelo Xulu (SuperSport United)

Defenders: Thabang Matuludi (Polokwane City), Keanu Cupido (Cape Town City), Thabo Moloisane (Stellenbosch CF), Rushwin Dortley (Cape Town Spurs), Athenkosi Mcaba (Stellenbosch FC), Malebogo Modise (Chippa United), Sirgio Kammies (Chippa United)

Midfielders: Brooklyn Poggenpoel (Chippa United), Antonio van Wyk (Stellenbosch FC), Jaedin Rhodes (Cape Town City), Ethan Brooks (AmaZulu), Devin Titus (Stellenbosch FC)

Strikers: Mfundo Thikazi (Royal AM), Asanele Velebayi (Cape Town Spurs), Tshepang Moremi (AmaZulu), Ashley Cupido (Cape Town Spurs), Thabang Sibanyoni (University of Pretoria), Yanela Mbuthuma (Richards Bay)