Bafana Bafana will begin their COSAFA Cup journey when they lock horns with Namibia in their opening Group A clash on Wednesday evening.
COSAFA Cup
Teams: South Africa v Namibia
Date: 05 July 2023
Venue: King Goodwill Zwelithini Stadium
Time: 18h00
Bafana entered the annual regional tournament last year as defending champions but were knocked out by Mozambique in the quarter-finals on penalties after a goalless draw in regulation time under coach Helman Mkhalele.
The 2021 title was won under the guidance of Jwaneng Galaxy head coach Morena Ramoreboli, who was standing in for Mkhalele.
Ramoreboli has been brought back to lead Bafana and will be hoping to repeat the same feat he achieved two years ago.
As for Namibia, they reached the final of last year's edition but lost narrowly 1-0 to Zambia in extra-time.
The Brave Warriors have retained at least 13 players from the squad that reached the final and the players will be looking to impress head coach Collins Benjamin, with the Africa Cup of Nations tournament on the horizon.
Namibia are top of the Afcon qualifying group by one point and have one foot in the finals despite losing 3-2 to Burundi in their final qualifier game.
The last time the sides met in the tournament was in 2018, where Bafana thrashed the Brave Warriors 4-1 in the plate semi-final.
Here's how they line up:
South Africa: Barr, Allan, Mohamme, Sikhakhane, Mogaila, Cele, Tlolane, Kobedi, Letoalo, Kapinga, Lakay
Namibia: Maova, Gebhardt, Kambindu, Iimbondi, Papama, Rudathm Petrus, Muzea, Kamberipa, Fredericks, Amuntenya
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