Notoane beefs up Chan squad ahead of Lesotho return leg

Bafana Bafana's Chan squad coach David Notoane has beefed up his squad ahead of Sunday’s return leg against Lesotho at Dobsonville Stadium.

The match kicks off at 3pm CAT (SA, GMT+2) and entrance to the match is free of charge.

South Africa trail 3-2 from the first leg and Notoane has insisted all week that if all goes according to plan, this squad has what it takes overturn that narrow deficit.

Fielding mostly youngsters without international experience, South Africa fell to a sucker punch in the dying minutes denying them what could have been a credible 2-2 draw.

But despite that setback, Notoane is hopeful that South Africa will make it into the next round where the opponents are likely to be Zimbabwe.

"We have strengthened our team in some central areas as we have wanted going into the second leg," he said after the team training session at Dobsonville in Soweto on Thursday.

"We are happy that we have (Zakhele) Lepasa from Orlando Pirates because the key challenge that we pretty much had against Lesotho in the first leg was that we didn't have an attacking focal point. Someone who could give the team the attacking depth and be able to connect the attacking group in terms of either holding on to the ball or giving us the necessary power to attack the goals," he added.

"The arrival of Lepasa as well as Itumeleng Shopane from Kaizer Chiefs and Thabang Sibanyoni from Mamelodi Sundowns has taken our striking quality to the next level in terms of our attacking options.

"We are looking forward to our second leg game against Lesotho on Sunday. Our intent is clear, we have to attack, attack and attack but we should do so smartly," he concluded.

Also joining the team this week are goalkeeper Sifiso Mlungwana from Golden Arrows, Paseka Mako from Pirates as well as Kgodiso Monama from University of Pretoria.

The released players are: Mondli Mpoto (Bloemfontein Celtic), Thendo Mukumela (Ajax Cape Town), Sibusiso Mabiliso (AmaZulu), Reeve Frosler (Kaizer Chiefs), Goodman Mosele (Baroka), Grant Margeman (Ajax Cape Town), Onyedikachi Ononogbu (Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila), Zukile Kewuti (Cape Town City) and Jemondre Dickens (Baroka).

SQUAD

Golakeeper: Sifiso Mlungwana (Golden Arrows), Khulekani Kubheka (Cape Umoya), Andile Mbanjwa (Richard Bay).

Defenders: Tercious Malepe (Chippa United), Nyiko Mobbie (Mamelodi Sundowns), Paseka Mako (Orlando Pirates), Jerry Msane (Cape Town City), Katlego Mohamme (Tuks), Sandile Mthethwa (Chippa United), Thabo Moloi (Jacaranda Callies), Alushuvhiwi Marubini (Jacaranda Callies).

Midfielder: Reneilwe Letsholonyane (Unattached), Athenkosi Dlala (Tuks), Kgodiso Monama (Tuks), Kamohelo Mahlatsi, Felix Noge (SuperSport United), Siboniso Conco (Golden Arrows), Luvuyo Phewa (Real Kings), Siphesihle Mkhize (Mamelodi Sundowns), Banele Sibisi (Tuks).

Forwards: Zakhele Lepasa (Orlando Pirates), Itumeleng Shopane (Chiefs), Thabang Sibanyoni (Mamelodi Sundowns.