Downs duo in Bafana Bafana squad
David Kannemeyer and Dillon Sheppard have been included by acting national coach Pitso Mosimane in his reconstructed team to face Lesotho in a friendly game at the Setsoto Stadium in Maseru on Wednesday night.
The Mamelodi Sundowns duo joined the national squad in camp on Sunday and will all travel down to the mountain kingdom on Tuesday to prepare for the match against Likuena on Wednesday night.
Although Sundowns is preparing for their final Castle League fixture of the season against Orlando Pirates scheduled for the Odi Stadium in Mabopane, the duo is suspended and will not be eligible to play in the match.
Kannemeyer was red-carded against Kaizer Chiefs in the ABSA Cup semi-final staged in Rustenburg a fortnight ago and served the first of an automatic two-game suspension when Sundowns defeated Tembisa Classic a fortnight ago.
However, during the match that Kannemeyer was watching from the stands as he started serving his suspension - Sheppard allowed a rush of blood to his head and was also ejected by referee Daniel Bennett for using foul language.
Now the two left-sided players will not take part in the match against Pirates but Joint Head coach Miguel Gamondi said they had enough depth and will come up with adequate cover when they face the Buccaneers.
“Thabiso Rammile is still injured,” admitted Gamondi. “But we also have Tshiamo Seneo and Oscar “Oskido” Ntwagae to fill in at the left fullback position. And it is also a toss-up between Peter Ndlovu and Clement Mazibuko for the attacking role on the left.
“Look, we have a couple of options and we are not duly worried. That should not be misconstrued to imply that we are underestimating Pirates. They are a quality side and we respect them. But we will be ready for them.”
The two former Ajax Cape Town players will however transfer their skills to the national team where they would be trying to impress Mosimane in the hope of securing selection to the national squad that will face Swaziland in Botswana.
South Africa face Swaziland in the Cosafa castle Cup in Botswana on May 20 while the hosts Botswana line-up against Madagascar on the same day. The winners play for a semi-final spot the following day.