Yet another challenge will fall on the path of South Africa’s preparations for their third appearance at the TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship.
The eighth edition of this competition, catering only for players plying their trade in their domestic leagues, will be held from August 2-30 in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.
This tournament was initially set for February but was postponed.
South Africa will be in Group C along with Niger, Guinea, Algeria, and hosts Uganda in a group to be played in Kampala.
CAF has so far confirmed that the opening match will be played in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania on August 2, while the final is pencilled in for Nairobi, Kenya on August 30.
Further details on the match scheduling are yet to be confirmed.
But then for South Africa – who were the last country to qualify after overcoming Malawi in May – there will be the usual headache in assembling the squad.
For the qualifiers, Molefi Ntseki was tasked to lead the team and his last squad had Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Neo Maema as captain.
The CHAN – played on non-FIFA dates – has largely been a tournament for players who are non-regulars at their clubs or heading for the exit so are made available with ease.
Maema was made available by Sundowns as he wasn’t playing regularly, just like Reyaad Pieterse and Kegan Johannes.
Chiefs provided Tebogo Potsane, Samkelo Zwane, and Aiden McCarthy, while AmaZulu FC added Wayde Jooste and Kwandakwensizwa Mngonyama, who were all not playing regular club football.
Usuthu have since released Jooste and Mngonyama.
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For the match against Egypt in March, the squad featured Monnapule Saleng, Terrence Mashego, Bongani Sam, and Siyethemba Sithebe.
With the domestic season set to start during the CHAN finals dates, selection will be based on player availability based on circumstances at their respective clubs.
Photo: Charle Lombard/Gallo Images
