Goalkeeper Darren Keet will be South Africa’s number two for a friendly against Africa Cup of Nations champions Zambia as coach Gordon Igesund scouts for players abroad ahead of the continental tournament next January.
Keet, originally the number four goalie in the squad, was preferred over numbers two and three Moeneeb Josephs and Wayne Sandilands for the November 14-showdown against the current African champions at Soccer City in Johannesburg.
After two victories and two defeats coaching Bafana Bafana (The Boys), Igesund on Monday selected seven of the 24 player-squad from overseas clubs.
“This is probably the last chance for a lot of players, especially the overseas-based players, to impress because we don?t have a FIFA date anymore between now and the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations tournament,” he said.
“I’ve probaly got about 75 to 80 percent of the team,” he added.
The 23-year-old Keet, who is currently with Belgian club KV Kortrijk, was pleased at his reselection, he said on the social networking site Twitter.
“Really happy and excited to be back in the national team. Always looking forward to representing my country,” he posted.
Igesund conceded the team’s lack of star players two months before South Africa host the Africa Cup of Nations from January 19 to February 10.
“We need to work hard and that’s very important. We’ve got no superstars in our team but nothing is impossible,” he said.
“It’s not always the best team that wins, but the team that really wants it the most.”
The coach travels to Britain later Monday to meet South African players abroad, including Everton striker Steven Pienaar, who recently retired from international football to focus on his club.
“I think Steven had to make a very tough decision, but I haven’t shut the door on him, so who knows where the conversation goes,” he said.
Squad
Goalkeepers: Darren Keet (KV Kortrijk/BEL), Itumeleng Khune (Kaizer Chiefs)
Defenders: Bevan Fransman (SuperSport Utd), Bongani Khumalo (PAOK/GRE, capt), Punch Masanamela (Sundowns), Anele Ngcongca (Racing Genk/BEL), Thabo Nthethe (Bloemfontein Celtic), Ricardo Nunes (MSK Zilina/SVK), Siyabonga Sangweni (Pirates)
Midfielders: Delron Buckley (Maritzburg Utd), Lerato Chabangu (Swallows), Kagisho Dikgacoi (Crystal Palace/ENG), Dean Furman (Oldham/ENG), Thanduyise Khuboni (Golden Arrows), Reneilwe Letsholonyane and Siphiwe Tshabalala (Chiefs), Oupa Manyisa and Sifiso Myeni (Pirates), Teko Modise (Sundowns), Thuso Phala (Platinum Stars)
Strikers: Kermit Erasmus (Supersport), Katlego Mashego (Swallows), Bernard Parker (Chiefs), Tokelo Rantie (Malmo/SWE)
South Africa pick goalkeeper Keet for Zambia
