Coach Helman Mkhalele has urged Bafana Bafana not to underestimate Mozambique as they will be out for revenge when the two sides meet in their opening Cosafa Cup match scheduled from 5-17 July in Durban.

The South African assistant national team coach will lead the team at this year’s tournament after he named his final 23-man squad as they look to successfully defend their Cosafa Cup trophy.

Bafana Bafana have now been pitted against their neighbours for the second consecutive year after they defeated Mozambique 3-0 in the quarter-finals en route to beating Senegal on penalties in the finals.

Mkhalele has now prepared his players for what he expects to be a tough battle against Mozambique in their opening match of this year’s tournament.

“This was not an easy process to go through given the fact that everybody in the team showed the hunger and desire to be in the final squad,” Mkhalele told Safa.

“That’s what made it difficult but we are happy with the final 23 we have chosen. We have also made them aware of the expectations set for them going into this tournament and our first game against Mozambique.

“When you go to any tournament as a coach, you need to make sure that you have selected players who have the right mindset, attitude and the willingness to win.

“The first game against Mozambique is going to be crucial because this is a side we beat in last year’s edition en route to the final. They will go into this tie with the intention of avenging that defeat and we cannot let them. We are the defending champions and our intention is go all the way in fighting to defend our title.”