South Africa kick-start the journey to the African football’s premier showpiece with an away match against Ghana on Thursday, 14 November 2019 in Accra.

Bafana Bafana will then host Sudan three days later (Sunday, 17 November) at the Orlando Stadium.

The other country in Group C is Sao Tome e Principe, which South Africa will only meet next year.

Ntseki has selected the bulk of the team that defeated Mali 2-1 in the 2019 Nelson Mandela Challenge played in Port Elizabeth earlier this month – that was his first assignment as the head coach of Bafana Bafana.

He has brought back defenders Thami Mkhize (Cape Town City) and Sifiso Hlanti (Bidvest Wits), – the duo missed the last match due to injuries.

In midfield, Bongani Zungu makes a return after he was withdrawn from the past training camp, also due to an injury.

Also being recalled after a long absence is midfielder Aubrey Modiba (Supersport United), who takes the place of the injured Keagan Dolly.

“If it is not broken, why fix it. We have decided to keep the bulk of the team because they already understand what we want to do, and you will recall this will be my third camp with them – even though we did not play a match in the first one, so it was important to keep that consistency as we also don’t have too much to work on things seeing that we are playing two matches in a space of three days, which also involves significant traveling,” said Ntseki.

This will be the Bafana Bafana’s 12th meeting against the Black Stars of Ghana, and the third clash against Sudan.

South Africa has beaten the West Africans five times and lost on three occasions, with three matches drawn.

The first encounter was back in 1994 in the Four Nations Cup which Bafana Bafana won 2-1. The last encounter was in 2016, which ended in a 1-1 draw in Durban – it was an international friendly match.

Bafana has never lost to Sudan. 

“These are very crucial matches in that they could determine our destiny in the competition. We have to start on a good footing and avoid playing catch-up as it puts a lot of unnecessary pressure on everyone – the coaching staff, players and even the fans,” added Ntseki.

“We have to make sure we start positively because winning brings about a lot of energy to the team, which makes the next assignment not easy but more manageable, but I am confident we will do well.”

Bafana Bafana will assemble for camp on Sunday, 10 November and depart for Ghana the next day – Monday, 11 November.

They return to South Africa on Friday, 15 November to prepare for the Sudan fixture.

Bafana Bafana Squad:

Goalkeepers - Darren Keet (Leuven, Belgium), Ronwen Williams (SuperSport United), Ricardo Goss (Bidvest Wits)

Defenders - Erick Mathoho (Kaizer Chiefs), Buhle Mkhwanazi, Thulani Hlatshwayo (Bidvest Wits), Thapelo Morena (Mamelodi Sundowns), Mosa Lebusa (Mamelodi Sundowns), Thamsanqa Mkhize (CT City), Innocent Maela (Orlando Pirates), S'fiso Hlanti (Bidvest Wits),

Midfielders - Kamohelo Mokotjo (Brentford, England), Thato Mokeke (CT City), Dean Furman (SuperSport United), Lebogang Phiri (Guingamp, France), Themba Zwane (Mamelodi Sundowns), Thulani Serero (Al Jazira, Abu Dhabi), Aubrey Modiba (SuperSport United), Mothobi Mvala (Highlands Park), Bongani Zungu (Amiens FC, France)

Forwards - Lebo Mothiba (Strasbourg, France), Bradley Grobler (SuperSport United), Kermit Erasmus (CT City) Thembinkosi Lorch (Orlando Pirates), Percy Tau (Club Brugge, Belgium)

- SAFA