South Africa recalled controversial midfielder Thulani Serero Friday for a March 5 Soweto friendly against 2014 World Cup hosts Brazil.
Coach Gordon Igesund axed the Ajax Amsterdam footballer last September after accusing him of faking injury to miss a World Cup qualifier with Botswana.
Igesund alleged injury-prone Serero wanted to "save" himself for a UEFA Champions League group game in Barcelona.
Although Serero insisted he was unfit, Igesund ignored him for a friendly against world champions Spain that South Africa surprisingly won 1-0 in Soweto.
"This is a great opportunity for us to continue from where we left off against Spain," said Igesund, who is under severe pressure after a series of dismal tournament results.
Bafana Bafana (The Boys) flopped as hosts of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations and 2014 African Nations Championship and also failed to qualify for the 2014 World Cup.
Igesund debuted as national coach away to Brazil two years ago in a friendly the home team won 1-0 through a late goal from substitute striker Hulk.
That was the fourth match between the countries and record five-time world champions Brazil have won them all by one-goal margins.
After friendly victories in Soweto and Johannesburg, Brazil pipped Bafana 1-0 in the 2009 Confederations Cup semi-finals through a late Dani Alves goal off a free-kick.
Brazil have named 16 Europe-based professionals for Soweto -- including Barcelona striker and major drawcard Neymar -- and coach Luiz Felipe Scolari will add several locals.
Squad
Goalkeepers: Itumeleng Khune (Kaizer Chiefs, capt), Ronwen Williams (SuperSport Utd).
Defenders: Bongani Khumalo (Doncaster/ENG), Thabo Matlaba (Orlando Pirates), Buhle Mkhwanazi (Pretoria University), Thato Mokeke (SuperSport), Anele Ngcongca (Genk/BEL), Thabo Nthethe (Mamelodi Sundown), Siyanda Xulu (Rostov/RUS)
Midfielders: Hlompho Kekana, Bongani Zungu (both Sundowns), Dean Furman (Doncaster/ENG), Daylon Claasen (Lech Poznan/POL), Kagisho Dikgacoi (Crystal Palace/ENG), Andile Jali (Ostend/BEL), Oupa Manyisa (Pirates), Lindokuhle Mbatha (Platinum Stars), Ayanda Patosi (Lokeren/BEL), Thulani Serero (Ajax Amsterdam/NED), Siphiwe Tshabalala (Chiefs),
Strikers: Dino Ndlovu (SuperSport), Bernard Parker (Chiefs), Tokelo Rantie (Bournemouth/ENG)
By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts.
Cookies Setting
By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device and the processing of information obtained via those cookies (including about your preferences, device and online activity) by us and our commercial partners to enhance site navigation, personalise ads, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. More information can be found in our Cookies and Privacy Policy. You can amend your cookie settings to reject non-essential cookies by clicking Cookie Settings below.
Manage Consent Preferences
Strictly Necessary Cookies
These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems. They are usually only set in response to actions made by you which amount to a request for services, such as setting your privacy preferences, logging in or filling in forms. You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not then work or you may not be able to login.
Functional Cookies
These cookies enable the website to provide enhanced functionality and personalisation. They may be set by us or by third party providers whose services we have added to our pages. If you do not allow these cookies then some or all of these services may not function properly.
Targeting Cookies
These cookies may be set through our site by our advertising partners. They may be used by those companies to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant adverts on other sites. They are also used to limit the number of times you see an advert as well as help measure the effectiveness of an advertising campaign. They do not store directly personal information, but are based on uniquely identifying your browser and internet device. If you do not allow these cookies, you will experience less targeted advertising.
Performance Cookies
These cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. They help us to know which pages are the most and least popular and see how visitors move around the site. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. If you do not allow these cookies we may not know when you have visited our site, and may not be able to monitor its performance.