Bafana Bafana coach Molefi Ntseki has named Itumeleng Khune in his 25-man squad to face Sao Tome in back-to-back 2022 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

The first match will be played at Durban’s Moses Mabhida Stadium on 13 November, with kick-off set for 7pm, while the away match will take place three days later on 16 November, kicking off at 5pm.

Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune makes a welcome return to the senior men’s national team after a long recovering lay-off, while Maritzburg United’s defender Rushine de Reuck has been rewarded for his stellar performance last season with a call-up.

Glasgow Rangers midfielder Bongani Zungu also returns to the national team set-up as do FC Cincinnati midfielder Kamohelo Mokotjo and Carlisle United’s Dean Furman.

Ntseki has added Supersport United’s Bradley Grobler and Thabiso Kutumela of Maritzburg United in attack alongside Percy Tau and Kermit Erasmus.

‘The back-to-back Sao Tome games are crucial in our quest to qualify for the Cameroon Afcon tournament and I am confident that this blend of youth and experience will do the job,’ Ntseki told Safa.net.

Bafana Bafana’s locally based players will assemble on 8 November and fly straight to Durban on the same day. The overseas players will fly directly from their respective bases to Durban to join the rest of the squad.

The team will conduct the first training session the following day (9 November) and play Sao Tome on 13 November. They then depart for Sao Tome on 14 November on a charter flight and return to South Africa on 16 November, soon after playing the return game.

Bafana Bafana 25-man squad in full:

Goalkeepers: Darren Keet, Ronwen Williams, Itumeleng Khune.

Defenders: Thibang Phete, Motjeka Madisha, Thulani Hlatshway, Lyle Lakay, Innocent Maela, Rushine de Reuck, Abubaker Mobara, Reeve Frosler.

Midfielders: Andile Jali, Themba Zwane, Thulani Serero, Teboho Mokoena, Bongani Zungu, Keagan Dolly, Percy Tau, Lebohang Manyama, Kamohelo Mokotjo, Luther Singh, Dean Furman.

Strikers: Kermit Erasmus, Bradley Grobler, Thabiso Kutumela.

Coach: Molefi Ntseki.