Mokotjo named in Bafana squad for friendlies

South Africa will play Guinea-Bissau at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on March 25 and Angola on March 28 at a venue still to be decided.

Mokotjo did announce his retirement from international football while Shakes Mashaba was in charge of the team, but now that Mashaba has been fired, the South African Football Association clearly hope to bring the FC Twente midfielder back.

There could be another stumbling block, however, in the fact that Mokotjo has recently obtained Dutch citizenship and apparently handed in his South African passport.

“We will put the list in front of the team manager (Barney Kujane) and I am sure he will look into that,” said caretaker coach Owen Da Gama at a press conference on Thursday at Safa House.

Also returning to the squad is former Orlando Pirates striker Kermit Erasmus, while Luther Singh’s performances in the Caf Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations in Zambia have also been rewarded with a first senior call-up.

Bidvest Wits’ attacking start Phakamani Mahlambi has also been called up for the first time.

Bafana squad:

Goalkeepers: Khune, Keet, Walters

Defenders: Mphahlele, Coetzee, Hlatshwayo, Mathoho, Gordinho, Thopola, Langerman

Midfielders: Kekana, Mnyamane, Dolly, Jali, Mokotjo, Mabunda, Furman, Zwane

Strikers: Serero, Tau, Manyama, Mahlambi, Veldwijk, Erasmus, Singh