Aubrey Ngoma received his first Bafana Bafana call-up after he was named in Stuart Baxter’s 25-man squad to face Nigeria in the opening match of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

The South African national team are set to take on the Super Eagles on 10 June at Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo State, Nigeria, with kick-off set for 17:00.

Baxter has kept a good number of players who played in back-to-back international friendlies against Guinea-Bissau and Angola.

Goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, Bongani Zungu and Tokelo Rantie make a welcome return to the national team, while Aubrey Ngoma of Cape Town City has also been called up.

‘I am quite pleased with the squad we have assembled. We have a small element of development with a couple of young players. We also have some players who are returning to the squad, the likes of Zungu and Rantie,’ Baxter told the media.

‘We have players who have been outstanding in the PSL the whole season, we also have continuity with a number of players that Safa has invested much time in and we have them in the team. I believe we have a good mix.

‘We have also looked at aerial strength and tried to spread that well throughout the team, it means if we can have good preparation before we go, then we have a squad that is capable of giving Nigeria a good game.’

South Africa has met Nigeria 12 times, with the West Africans emerging victorious on seven occasions with four matches drawn.

Bafana Bafana’s only win against the Super Eagles came under the reign of Baxter – it was an international friendly match in 2004 played at Ellis Park. Shaun Bartlett and Benedict Vilakazi scored the goals.

‘When you look at Nigeria it’s like the who’s who of African football, as most of their players play across the top leagues of the world, that doesn’t always mean it’s a good team, but Nigeria has had a run of games that suggests that they are finding their feet,’ he added.

‘We will play them having spent a three-week training camp in France, but we will monitor their games. They will be playing against Togo and Corsica, and I will have a bit of intelligence on them, but I have already gathered some even before these matches.’

Bafana Bafana’s 25-man squad to face Nigeria:

Goalkeepers:

Itumeleng Khune, Darren Keet and Ronwen Williams.

Defenders: 

Ramahlwe Mphahlele, Rivaldo Coetzee, Thulani Hlatshwayo, Erick Mathoho, Lorenzo Gordinho, Abbubaker Mobara, Tebogo Langerman and Sifiso Hlanti.

Midfielders: 

Hlompho Kekana, Keagan Dolly, Andle Jali, Kamohelo Mokotjo, Dean Furman, Themba Zwane, Bongani Zungu and Aubrey Ngoma.

Strikers:

Sibusiso Vilakazi, Percy Tau, Lebohang Manyama, Tokelo Rantie, Thamsanqa Gabuza and Kermit Erasmus.